I have a 04 Discovery II. I recently had to replace the gasket and cover on the throttle heater. Got that done and stopped losing any coolant.

Now I have a lot of white smoke and liquid (clear tinged with black when it lands on the floor) when I start the car up. Average temp has been between 30-50 degrees out.

After a minute or two the smoke and liquid subside and the only other issue is a ruff idle once the car has been driven for a few minutes.

I am really worried with all the talk about head gasket leaks on here.

Would a head gasket leak cause white smoke even after the vehicle is warm?

 

White smoke on startup means you are getting coolant in your cylinders.

 

yea white smoke is usually burning coolant. does it have a sweet smell? keep an eye like a hawk on the engine temp and coolant level.

liquid out of the exhuast clear/to blackish is usually unburnt fuel from a missfire, watervapor and fuel mix with the carbon in the exhaust pipes and get sprayed out the back with the flow of air. the same missfire will also cause the rough idle. depending on how bad, when the engine gets hot enough it might evap most of vapor in the exhuast but the problem might still be there, especially if its still idling funny.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. Coolant in the cylinders is normally a head gasket right?

I don't seem to be losing much if any coolant.

What has me stumped is that the smoke stops after a mintue or so. Wouldn't a blown head gasket continue to emit smoke?

As yes it does smell sweet. I replaced the plugs and didn't see any evidence of coolant there.

I put about 120 miles on it yesterday and temperature was normal throughout.

 

You have at least blown head gaskets, if not a cracked block somewhere.
Coolant drains into the cylinders when it stands overnight, that's why you get the smoke when you startup. After that you are most probably getting combustion gasses in the coolant. Have it tested for combustion gasses.

 

Well darn that isn't fun....

So just take the coolant down and have it tested at a shop?

 

Take the truck to a shop, explain what's happening and ask to test for combustion gasses in the coolant and any other tests they might suggest.
How is your oil? Coolant in the oil causes a chocolate milk shake mix.

 

I changed the oil about 500 miles ago and it looked black like normal. It still looks new on the dip stick.

Sure enough I checked just now and the coolant level in the resevoir is about 1" below where it was last night so it is certainly going somewhere.

I will take it down to the local mechanic and have him check for combustion gasses and other diagnostics he recommends.

 

Do you have a check engine light on?

 

Yes check engine light is on. I am going to take it down and have the codes read and have a pressure test and check the coolant for combustion gasses.

I did open the reservoir and take a good smell and I don't smell a gassy or exhaust smell just smells like coolant.