pouring white smoke after head gasket replacement

[rasthof]

Recently put a new head gasket on my 84 z24 kc and when we cranked it up, it started pouring white smoke out of the exhaust, so we let it run about 30 mins and it still hasn't improved, the motor runs great. what could it be?? I had the head checked for cracks and warpage at a machinist shop. the smoke does smell like coolent but shouldn't the exhaust be cleaned of coolent and water after 30+ mins? Haven't had the chance to drive it yet because of a broken slave cyl.

[ggzilla]

Exactly which shade of white smoke do you see?

 

* White smoke that dissipate

* Bluish-white smoke that does not dissipate, but eventually scatters with the wind

[ggzilla]

White smoke that dissipates is normally seen when first starting the engine on a cold day. All exhaust consists partly of water vapor, and until the exhaust heats up, it will condense into clouds of smoke.

 

This type of smoke quickly evaporates as soon as it comes out of the tailpipe, even as you watch it.

 

For white smoke that continues even after the engine is warmed up, the cause could be:

 

Automatic transmission? Disconnect and plug the vacuum line to see if the problem stops. If it does, the vacuum modulator is leaking transmission fluid into the engine

 

Coolant leak. Give the cooling system a pressure check. If it won't hold the test pressure, it could be a leaking intake manifold gasket (leaking into the engine, not outside) or a compromised head gasket. Or another coolant leak into the intake system.

[ggzilla]

Bluish-white smoke that does not dissipate indicates a worn engine. This smoke does not immediately disappear like water-vapor smoke, but instead will stay in the air, eventually to drift away with the wind.

 

This indicates internal engine wear, either:

 

1. Valve stem seals leaking or worn valve guides allowing oil into the engine. This is evidenced by bluish-white smoke on engine startup, but after 30 seconds, no more smoke is evident. It suggest a cylinder head repair may be needed

 

2. Engine rings are worn or not properly seated. This causes bluish smoke either when you accelerate (compression rings), OR when you decelerate (oil rings). Either way it suggest an engine overhaul is required.

[rasthof]

Id say the smoke is mostly white ( ill have to check agian in the morning as it was in the afternoon when we finished) but it takes probably about 3-4 secs. to dissipate