exhaust steam?..head gasket?

[Lukeduke07]

99 GMC Yukon..i recently put a new radiator on. Since then I have heavy exhaust steam only after it idles for three or four minutes and continues to steam while idling..once I start driving it, it clears after a half mile or so down the road..continues to run like a top with no signs of steam or smoke till after it idles again for those few minutes..What is going on?..thanks guys..

 

[OR VietVet]

Why did you replace the radiator? Did you o-heat recently? Replace the thermostat at same time, like you should have? In cooler weather the initial amount of the whiter looking smoke can be condensation that builds in the exhaust system after a shut off cool down when last ran. 1/2 mile before dissipation is not unusual. Losing any coolant? Heater seems to work normally?

 

[Lukeduke07]

Radiator was busted..no overheating that I know of. It does it in warm weather too. Heater works fine and I'll go check the coolant now..just a spare vehicle used to pull my boat, trailer, etc.. just bought it in august. I don't drive it very much. I'm taking it tomorrow to the shop for some test.

 

[OR VietVet]

Warm weather or not we are talking about engine temp and exhaust temp and then cool down to ambient temp and the condensation from that. Have it checked. If the shop has a gas analyzer have them sniff for exhaust gases at the radiator neck when running.

 

[Lukeduke07]

Fluid was really low. Appreciate it bud. They said they wanted to test the fluid. That sound right? I don't know much about motors

 

[OR VietVet]

Testing the fluid is likely same as I suggested. If you are losing coolant and none on ground then could be head gaskets but get the test first. maybe you didn't get the air pocket out of it when refilled after rad replacement. Let us know what the test reveals. Do not accept "has bad/blown head gasket", you want to know and report what tests he/she did and the results.

 

[SunlitComet]

they might have meant that they would put a device on the rad opening that would indicate if it saw combustion gases in the cooling system.

 

[iLikeEggs]

Can you smell coolant from the exhaust pipe? (disclaimer....don't inhale!).

 

[OR VietVet]

I believe I already said what I said about the sniffing the exhaust gases at the rad neck. I give up. You win.

 

[SunlitComet]

sorry i was not talking a gas analyzer. was talking the tube type with test fluid.