More Overheating

[AU_88]

So I have been looking over a lot of the overheating threads and trying some things, flushed radiator a couple days ago, need to get some air out probably... Yesterday I pulled a nasty thermostat out, and put everything back together, when I started the truck with no thermostat it started blowing white smoke. It wasn't doing that before and I'm really hoping the smoke has to do with no thermostat... Maybe, possibly?

Thanks for the help.

Robert

[SafeAirOne]

What do you mean "blowing white smoke"? From the tailpipe? Smoke or steam?

Steam from the tailpipe aint good--Headgasket (or possibly worse) issue.

[AU_88]

What do you mean "blowing white smoke"? From the tailpipe? Smoke or steam?

From the tailpipe... It was right after I started the truck. I would assume it was smoke.

[superstator]

Did the white smoke clear after a few minutes, or get worse? Removing the thermostat shouldn't matter, though it's possible you released some bit of gunk that was the straw that broke the camels back.

[AU_88]

Did the white smoke clear after a few minutes, or get worse? Removing the thermostat shouldn't matter, though it's possible you released some bit of gunk that was the straw that broke the camels back.

I actually shut the truck off shortly after starting it. I have a new head gasket and such, just no time to take care of it and hoping it may not need it. Before I pulled the thermostat it ran fine, just overheated, now it is smoking. I am really anxious to drive my truck...

[albersj51]

Did it overheat or run hot?

[AU_88]

Did it overheat or run hot?

It overheated pretty badly a few months ago, but due to classes/ work it has been in my garage for a while. It ran fine, sounded great, just got real hot over the past few days, now that there is no Tstat, it is smoking. Now that I have graduated I have a little extra time to fix it while I look for a job, plus I really want to drive it.

[albersj51]

Congrats on your graduation!

You may want run a compression test and see what you get.

[AU_88]

Congrats on your graduation!

You may want run a compression test and see what you get.

Thanks, I'm hoping to have a job relatively soon, but with this economy who knows! Hopefully I will be able to look into the compression over the next couple of days. Is it okay for me to run it for say 5 minutes or less to see if the smoke goes away?

[albersj51]

Personally, id wait and run a compression check first. Someone else will chime in and say if it will hurt anything.

[artpeck]

My two cents. Run a compression test before running the engine. Over heating can destroy it and you may already if have warped the head by having It run hot earlier. no reason to risk further damage when a compression test takes 5 minutes.

[LR Max]

Compression check x3.

Also clean the spark plugs and run the engine some. Then pull said spark plugs and see what color they are. Look up online about spark plug colors. Then you'll know whats going on!

Lastly, take a meat thermometer and tape it to the top radiator hose. Then you'll have accurate measurements on your engine temp. I originally thought I was running hot. Turns out when its a 105 degrees outside my engine is actually at a medium steak. Not hot enough for poultry or pork

[AU_88]

Compression was 110 on the cylinder closest to the radiator and then 70 on the next... I stopped there.

[SafeAirOne]

Compression was 110 on the cylinder closest to the radiator and then 70 on the next... I stopped there.

I'd keep going...

[AU_88]

I'd keep going...

Will do, just ran out of time... Lots to do this weekend.