Smoking / Slow Coolant Leak

roto4_00 · April 9, 2007

My dilema.

I have a 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab with a 5.3L going on 61,000 miles. After my truck sits for an extended period of time it will blow a pretty big cloud of white smoke out of the tailpipe. A couple of months ago I was having issues with the temperature of the engine climbing. I took it in to get serviced and it was a gallon low on coolant. I've had no overheating issues since, but I'm still dealing with the white smoke. It has started to burn some oil (about a half a quart in 3000 miles), which I see a lot of threads on here saying that's nothing to worry about, but I have a hunch my two issues are related.

The smoke coming from the exhaust based on both the color and the smell would lead me to believe that there is coolant leaking into my engine somewhere. Is this something that is a known problem with this truck or am I lucky enough to have inherited something special? What are the common causes of a problem like this and what kind of cash can I expect to have to pony up to have the dealer take care of me?

d430ssh · April 9, 2007

My dilema.

I have a 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab with a 5.3L going on 61,000 miles. After my truck sits for an extended period of time it will blow a pretty big cloud of white smoke out of the tailpipe. A couple of months ago I was having issues with the temperature of the engine climbing. I took it in to get serviced and it was a gallon low on coolant. I've had no overheating issues since, but I'm still dealing with the white smoke. It has started to burn some oil (about a half a quart in 3000 miles), which I see a lot of threads on here saying that's nothing to worry about, but I have a hunch my two issues are related.

The smoke coming from the exhaust based on both the color and the smell would lead me to believe that there is coolant leaking into my engine somewhere. Is this something that is a known problem with this truck or am I lucky enough to have inherited something special? What are the common causes of a problem like this and what kind of cash can I expect to have to pony up to have the dealer take care of me?

kroc33 · April 10, 2007

Sounds like it may be the head gasket. I had this type of problem with a toyota 4 runner and it was the head gasket. Is the truck running ok? If coolant is getting into the cylinders the engine will usually stumble a bit. Also another possibility is the lower intake gasket which would cause the same problems. Check to see if your oil filler cap has a light brown foam on it. If it does then your definetly mixing oil and coolant.

Good luck

roto4_00 · April 10, 2007

The truck still runs strong. We changed the oil this weekend and nothing looked out of the ordinary and I just checked the oil fill cap and didn't see a light brown film, but that could be because the oil was changed 2 days ago. When I had it at the dealer when it was starting to overheat they pressure tested the cooling system and everything checked out ok. This is only my second vehicle and my second GMC. I probably got a little spoiled with the first one.

What can I expect to pay for a headgasket or lower intake gasket replacement?

ZZ327 · April 10, 2007

if youre leaking coolant, your oil will eventually turn a milky brown color. You shouldnt have to pay anything, arent you still under warranty? 3yr/36K miles?

roto4_00 · April 11, 2007

Unfortunately I'm come up on the 2 year mark with the truck and have 61,000 miles on it. I'm a little dissappointed but what do you do? I'm at the point where I owe more than the truck is worth so trading isn't the best option. Looks like I'm going to have to suck it up. I'm nervous though. I've heard anywhere from $1000 to $3000 for a head gasket.

2017HD · April 11, 2007

I had a similar problem on my 99 Tahoe with a 5.7L - turned out to be the intake gasket - about $800 to repair. I had no drips on the driveway - but was loosing coolent very slowly -5-6mos - thought it was the rad cap - tested and it was bad - replaced but still loosing coolent at the same rate. There were never any puddles in the driveway. I drove 400 mi to my parents house and parked on an incline - the next morning there was a small puddle of coolent below the back end of the engine - I finally found the problem. A trip to the dealer confirmed the intake gasket. They felt that no water reached the oil. Good luck

d430ssh · April 11, 2007

I have a 2004 Z71 91,000 miles W/ 5.3L. It has the same problem with coolant leakage and smoke at start up. The smoke problem comes and goes, it is more prevalent on cold mornings. Had a major problem acquiring OEM parts. Had to purchase an upper end gasket set from El Dorado Arazona. I don't know if there is a parts quality problem or just a parts supplier / manufacturing issue but gasket sets are hard to find ? Attempted to have local dealers run the VIN number for outstanding service bulletins but had no luck. I will post repair results ASAP. Plan on pulling heads 04/13/2007. This is a crazy problem for a hare core Chevrolet fan. As a general rule, these engines are bullett proof. Makes you wonder about product Quality ?

Frank Sub · April 11, 2007

Most auto parts stores have a product called "Stop Leak", or some similiar name, which is granular (looks like pepper). It comes in a small vile, like an Rx pill bottle, and all you do is pour it into your cooling system, where it circulates with the coolant, and conjeals at the leak. I have used it successfully a number of times to stop small leaks, and had no ill effects, or ever heard of any problems. Cost is under $2. Might be worth a try.--Frank Sub

kfabricator · April 11, 2007

My dilema.

I have a 2005 GMC Sierra Crew Cab with a 5.3L going on 61,000 miles. After my truck sits for an extended period of time it will blow a pretty big cloud of white smoke out of the tailpipe. A couple of months ago I was having issues with the temperature of the engine climbing. I took it in to get serviced and it was a gallon low on coolant. I've had no overheating issues since, but I'm still dealing with the white smoke. It has started to burn some oil (about a half a quart in 3000 miles), which I see a lot of threads on here saying that's nothing to worry about, but I have a hunch my two issues are related.

The smoke coming from the exhaust based on both the color and the smell would lead me to believe that there is coolant leaking into my engine somewhere. Is this something that is a known problem with this truck or am I lucky enough to have inherited something special? What are the common causes of a problem like this and what kind of cash can I expect to have to pony up to have the dealer take care of me?

roto4_00 · April 12, 2007

I assume there are other people that need to get their 5 post minimum too....

redvett · April 12, 2007

Should have gotten the extended warrenty.

roto4_00 · April 13, 2007

How long would the extra warranty have lasted? Is it wrong for me to assume that my truck should not have these kinds of problems?

RCH · April 13, 2007

It does sound like a head gasket, but Using a product designed to stop leaks will potentially lead to other problems. It is better to fix it right, then you will have a reliable truck for years to come.

RCH · April 13, 2007

One other thought is, You can contact the dealer since it is under three years old, but over on the milage, maybe they can work with you on the cost. If that doesn't work, I would call GM and complain about it, if you bother them enough they may cut you some slack. One thing, You can wear them down if you are persistant and polite. Get names and call back, get to someone who can make a decision. I hope it turns out well for you.