White Smoke

No Worries · 03-13-2009, 02:52 PM

This happened yesterday in my Jeep, but it's interesting. I was about a half mile from my house when I saw billowing white smoke in my rear view mirror. First I cursed, because I thought I blew a head gasket. White smoke coming from the exhaust is usually antifreeze that's gotten into the cylinder.

I pulled over, about 20 feet from a Fire House. That's when white smoke started coming from under the hood. I shut off the engine, opened the hood, and clouds of white smoke billowed out. I expected the fire engines to come out, but they didn't. I brushed the smoke away and saw what happened. A heater hose got a hole that sprayed exactly on the exhaust header.

I got some duct tape and wrapped it around the hole. Luckily I also had a hose clamp to tighten around the duct tape and then drove home. I bought some heater hose and antifreeze for less than $10. I didn't have to curse after all, but it's good to stay in practice.

smileyman · 03-13-2009, 03:35 PM

It has happened to me alot. Being son of a professional mechanic I got to see and fix alot of coolant related smokiness. On time a radiator hose blew, but was held together by the hood. Once we popped the hood the hose unwound, dousing us both in screaming hot antifreeze!

Another time I didn't get a heater hose clamp on well enough. The motor ran down the road until the thermostat opened and when it did it poored out onto the exhaust headers. I always used new clamps and hose after that Just in case...

p00kienrayray · 03-13-2009, 06:39 PM

its more likely that a hose would go bad than your gasket being blown.

Gas Man · 03-13-2009, 11:49 PM

That's why I hate older cars.... always somin stupid

BobTheBiker · 03-14-2009, 01:12 AM

Least it wasnt a major problem, and you didnt suffer serious damage. ya know?

but it IS more likely for a hose to spring a leak than a headgasket to blow(unless you're driving some old beatup ex racecar running boost.

No Worries · 03-14-2009, 02:12 AM

Here's my beater. A 76 Cherokee Chief with only 239K miles on the stock motor. Four-speed with a granny gear. Stock 1/4 inch steel plate protecting the vitals underneath. I've taken it up most of Colorado's mountain passes, to many mines, and I've pulled out a bunch of stuck vehicles with my winch. I especially like going up trails that have crunched mufflers and locking hubs strewn along them. Here it is above timberline, on the paved road going up to the summit of Mount Evans (14,260 feet):

In the 70's, when manufacturers put aluminum heads on iron blocks, blown head gaskets were very common because of the different expansion factors. Plus, I'm a pessimist.

03-13-2009, 02:52 PM	#1
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	White Smoke This happened yesterday in my Jeep, but it's interesting. I was about a half mile from my house when I saw billowing white smoke in my rear view mirror. First I cursed, because I thought I blew a head gasket. White smoke coming from the exhaust is usually antifreeze that's gotten into the cylinder. I pulled over, about 20 feet from a Fire House. That's when white smoke started coming from under the hood. I shut off the engine, opened the hood, and clouds of white smoke billowed out. I expected the fire engines to come out, but they didn't. I brushed the smoke away and saw what happened. A heater hose got a hole that sprayed exactly on the exhaust header. I got some duct tape and wrapped it around the hole. Luckily I also had a hose clamp to tighten around the duct tape and then drove home. I bought some heater hose and antifreeze for less than $10. I didn't have to curse after all, but it's good to stay in practice.

03-13-2009, 03:35 PM	#2
smileyman White Trash Hero Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Moto: Buell 1125R Porco Rosso Edition Posts: 4,895	It has happened to me alot. Being son of a professional mechanic I got to see and fix alot of coolant related smokiness. On time a radiator hose blew, but was held together by the hood. Once we popped the hood the hose unwound, dousing us both in screaming hot antifreeze! Another time I didn't get a heater hose clamp on well enough. The motor ran down the road until the thermostat opened and when it did it poored out onto the exhaust headers. I always used new clamps and hose after that Just in case... __________________ Arkriders.com To be the best you must first be willing to risk the worst!

03-13-2009, 11:49 PM	#4
Gas Man Trip's Assistant Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Imported from Detroit Moto: 2009 HD Street Classic Posts: 12,149	That's why I hate older cars.... always somin stupid __________________ -Chris "Why pay somebody else to fuck up your bike?" Run Amsoil Product

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03-13-2009, 06:39 PM	#3
p00kienrayray dope fiend Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: SUNNY SOCAL Moto: JICKSIR SICKS HUNNERD Posts: 184	its more likely that a hose would go bad than your gasket being blown.

03-14-2009, 01:12 AM	#5
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	Least it wasnt a major problem, and you didnt suffer serious damage. ya know? but it IS more likely for a hose to spring a leak than a headgasket to blow(unless you're driving some old beatup ex racecar running boost.

03-14-2009, 02:12 AM	#6
No Worries Keyboard Racer Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mile High City Moto: Old Superbikes Posts: 1,016	Here's my beater. A 76 Cherokee Chief with only 239K miles on the stock motor. Four-speed with a granny gear. Stock 1/4 inch steel plate protecting the vitals underneath. I've taken it up most of Colorado's mountain passes, to many mines, and I've pulled out a bunch of stuck vehicles with my winch. I especially like going up trails that have crunched mufflers and locking hubs strewn along them. Here it is above timberline, on the paved road going up to the summit of Mount Evans (14,260 feet): In the 70's, when manufacturers put aluminum heads on iron blocks, blown head gaskets were very common because of the different expansion factors. Plus, I'm a pessimist.