[Nathan Tripp]

I need help with getting some info about removing engine in a 2005 Nissan Titan XE flex. It's smoking on start up, I am a mechanic and I have tried I think, all possible fixes to this, when the engine is in the vehicle. Anymore fixes to this smoke on start up? Thanks

 

[Pale Rider]

have you determined if it is valve stem seals? did you do a leak down test? how about compression test?
is your oil level dropping? coolant?

what did you test?

 

[Nathan Tripp]

I'm guessing so, I haven't, I have done a compression test and compressions are between 146-155, No the oil level is not dropping as far as I've seen or coolant. One thing is crazy is even if the truck is cold if I take off the radiator cap and start the truck it blows radiator fluid out of top of radiator..... is that maybe a head gasket? Never over heats.

 

[Pale Rider]

white smoke indicates coolant, blue smoke is oil...

did you change the PCV`s?

 

[Nathan Tripp]

It does smoke white smoke on startup but not any after, so you think it's a head gasket.... coolant port? I have changed the pcv's and took the valve covers off and cleaned them, it was very gummy so I did clean it out by hand and oil cleaner.

 

[Pale Rider]

It does smoke white smoke on startup but not any after, so you think it's a head gasket.... coolant port? I have changed the pcv's and took the valve covers off and cleaned them, it was very gummy so I did clean it out by hand and oil cleaner.

hard to say, but based on what your saying, I would think so.
if you have access to an exhaust analyzer, place the probe by the open radiator fill and see if you get a reading of exhaust? also you should see the antifreeze is contaminated if it`s been doing this for a while.

since you might be tearing it down, I might try off the shelf sealer, like from prestone or Bars leak Coolant system repair 2 part mix, first and run it and see what`s up...

 

[Nathan Tripp]

The antifreezes looks new so idk, so a exhaust analyzer would 100% this? How would I do it if the antifreeze blows out of radiator? Suck some of the antifreeze out and see if it still blows out?
So you think I should try a sealer in the radiator? Since the head gasket doesn't seem to be broke much if it's broke. Do you have any suggestions that won't clog the radiator up?

 

[Nathan Tripp]

Couldn't I just do that test with the truck off?

 

[Pale Rider]

The antifreezes looks new so idk, so a exhaust analyzer would 100% this? How would I do it if the antifreeze blows out of radiator? Suck some of the antifreeze out and see if it still blows out?
So you think I should try a sealer in the radiator? Since the head gasket doesn't seem to be broke much if it's broke. Do you have any suggestions that won't clog the radiator up?

the coolant is blowing out immediately at start up? what does it do when the engine is idling?

either one I mentioned should do the job it the leak is minor. you should see them on the shelf at walmart,
How many miles on this truck, and how long has it been doing this?

yes, it doesn`t matter is the coolant is new or old. if there is exhaust gases present in the coolant, the sniffer with smell it.

 

[Nathan Tripp]

I've only tried it one time and it blowed out crazy pressure, like 123,000, I'm not sure, working on it for someone else, ok

 

[Pale Rider]

take the cap off and start it up, if it blows out like mad, you have a bigger issue than the leak sealer can fix.

 

[Nathan Tripp]

What could be the problem if it still blows out?. It could be cracked head or block?

 

[Walrus]

White smoke at start up has typically been valve covers on the VK56.
Sludge.

 

[Walrus]

It does smoke white smoke on startup but not any after, so you think it's a head gasket.... coolant port? I have changed the pcv's and took the valve covers off and cleaned them, it was very gummy so I did clean it out by hand and oil cleaner.

Word is, valve covers are near impossible to clean.
Use a browser, open this thread, look at the bottom for similar threads.
One of them is going to give you what I've learned from reading posts here.

 

[Nathan Tripp]

So if I do test the antifreeze for exhaust if that comes up positive that means head gasket or cracked head or block? And if it comes up negative that means maybe the valve covers?