Headgasket?!?

[badmix]

I jus got truck back from exhaust shop. Had dynamax mufflers put on and my tailpipe had run straight out the back, well I had them turn them to the sides. I guess I never paid attention b4. But Ive smoke/steam coming from both sides and alot of water coming out of exhaust on both sides. Talked to 4x4 shop says its normal for this time of year (cool, etc).

1) is it possible for both headgaskets to go bad at same time and be exhaust valve side of it

2) How can I be 100% its either just weather/steam or actual head gasket

I checked oil, it is fine

Checked rad. fluid, it seems fine.

 

[496truck]

1. Possible but highly unlikely. Most of the time if a head gasket goes you will see obvious signs.

2. You could do a pressure/leakdown test of the cooling system. Or just pull the spark plugs for a quick inspection.

All is well, sounds normal. Have fun with the new exhaust.

 

[77crewcab]

Go hold your hand in the exhaust for a few seconds and then smell it. If it smells sweet then you have coolant leaking into the combustion chamber. But it would also be big white clouds of smoke usually. What you are describing just sounds like normal cold weather steam, like seeing you breath in the cold. The water is usually just condensation from the hot exhaust gasses cooling as they travel down the pipe, normal during cold weather. Watch the tail pipes of other cars when at a stop light and I bet you will see similar.

 

[British Slave]

Does it clear up after an hour or so drive? Condensation forms in the muffler and tailpipes on short runs. Longer runs give it a chance to get hot and dry up the system.

 

[79rustyk10]

check the plugs, if one is full of white crap you might need to investigate further.

 

[badmix]

So far it was just short drives (10min). I checked the water coming out, it smelled like WATER, not Coolant. From what everyone has said here and there, it is normal. I just never noticed it b4 with exhaust going out the back. so much ado about nuttin. which is fine by me, better same than sorry.

I am going to flush radiator. 4x4 shop says they just run a hose thru it and let it run. I know this isnt the best way, but would this be fine for a quick flush? and then replenish with some premixed 50/50?