2000 4Runner issues

[skidad-l]

Just purchased 2000 SR5 4Runner, 3.4L 5 speed with 41,000miles. It has started blowing white smoke at startup, intermittantly. This is not a little puff of smoke, but for 3 -4 seconds, then it is OK. Toyota Dealership (not seller) has checked it out and cannot find any reason for smoking. Dealer kept rig for cold start test, but it did not smoke when the dealer had it. Dealership replaced spark plugs to 'correct' ones which hasn't helped smoking, but may have improved gas mileage and topped off the coolant. Dealership also indicated that the water pump is leaking and advised service. Dealership did not find anything else wrong with rig. The only thing different that we did was use high octane gas on last fill-up. Can anyone advise as to why there is white smoke upon startup?
Thanks -

 

[toto]

It could be water vapor, which is perfectly normal to some degree, because there's a lot of water in the exhaust. If the exhaust system is cold, the water condenses out into a cloud by the time it comes out the tailpipe.

Or else, it's a sign of a bad head gasket, and then the white smoke is coolant/water burning inside the engine. I would think that the white smoke would be more persistent if this were the case, though.

 

[skidad-l]

Thanks for the reply. We've been concerned about the head gasket, but have been assured by the dealer that all looks good at this point. Also, the smoking is only at the startup - not continuously. We've just never seen such an accumulation of smoke at startup on our other vehicles ('97 Tacoma).

When we had at the dealer, they 'topped off' the coolant. We just checked coolant reservoir and it seems low again. Can this be attributed to a leaky water pump ?? And would a leaky water pump have anything to do with the white smoke ??

We appreciate your assistance. Also note we are at high elevation - about 4500- 5000 ft above sea level.

 

[toto]

Yes, a leaky water pump will make coolant seem to disappear.

I'd get the water pump fixed, and of course, change the timing belt and drive belts at the same time - the labor is the same, so all you're adding is the cost of the belts. Once the water pump is done, continue to keep an eye on the coolant level. If it still disappears, that would make me wonder about the head gaskets. If not, then then white smoke you're seeing is just water vapor and no big deal.

 

[booniedog]

white smoke issue

I had the same problem with my 95 4 Runner. I searched and searched and thought it might be a radiator and/or water pump issue as radiator kept losing fluid. It was not either one. It was a cracked head gasket that allow the water to mix in the engine and caused the white smoke. It was not a bad crack/break, but once head gasket was replaced the problem was solved. I have a pretty good and fairly priced mechanic shop I use and it ended up being around $1700 to $2000 as they needed to change the water pump and I got a tune up while they were in there. (Southern California prices). Good luck!