Coolant in Combustion Chamber

Cause	Correction
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. Two cylinders side-by-side on the engine block, with low compression, may indicate a failed cylinder head gasket. Refer to Engine Compression Test .
Faulty cylinder head gasket	Replace the head gasket and components as required. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection and Cylinder Head (Left) Replacement and Cylinder Head (Right) Replacement .
Warped cylinder head	Machine the cylinder head to the proper flatness 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 components as required.
Cylinder head or engine block porosity	Replace components as required.