DEFINITION: Excessive white smoke and/or coolant type odor coming from the exhaust pipe may indicate coolant in the combustion chamber. Low coolant levels, an inoperative cooling fan, or a faulty thermostat may lead to an overtemperature condition, which may cause engine component damage.
- A slower than normal cranking speed may indicate coolant entering the combustion chamber. Refer to Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate .
- Remove the spark plugs and inspect for spark plugs saturated by coolant or coolant in the cylinder bore.
- Inspect by performing a cylinder leak-down test. During this test, excessive air bubbles within the coolant may indicate a faulty gasket or damaged component.
- Inspect by performing a cylinder compression test. 2 cylinders side-by-side on the engine block, with low compression, may indicate a failed cylinder head gasket. Refer to Engine Compression Test .
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| Faulty cylinder head gasket |
Replace the head gasket and components, as required. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection and Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side or Cylinder Head Replacement - Right Side . |
| Warped cylinder head |
Machine the cylinder head to the proper flatness, if applicable and replace the cylinder head gasket. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection . |
| Cracked cylinder head |
Replace the cylinder head and gasket. |
| Cracked cylinder liner or engine block |
Replace the components, as required. |
| Cylinder head or engine block porosity |
Replace the components, as required. |