Burning white smoke during warm up after a cold start

[Philbush1127]

Hey guys I am having a problem. My 4runner 99 3.4 Cali standards is having a issue with burning what I believe is coolant. Every time I start the truck after it has been sitting for a little while it shoots white smoke out my tailpipe. But after like 15 minutes of running it stops completely. I could stop and get lunch go back in my truck and it will start smoking for a short period of time then stop. I have no loss of power. There is a P0304 code for cylinder 4 misfire. My gut tells me I have a blown head gasket but I feel like it might be something else. Do any of you have any questions or advice? Thanks

 

[Full_Throttle]

trying to elect another pope??

 

[Full_Throttle]

I believe you are correct with the blown head gasket. Have you done a compression check on the suspect #4 cylinder?

 

[Philbush1127]

[No message]

 

[Philbush1127]

Not yet. I was gonna do a coolant system pressure test, cylinder leak down, and compression test when I goto work on Monday. I was just really hoping it wasn't my worst fear. The fact that it only does it after the vehicle has been sitting makes me feel like it is burning oil leaking from the valve seals but I know it's coolant burning with that smell

 

[shootmymime]

[No message]

 

[Full_Throttle]

seems like...

It seems like you have a good handle on what tests to perform to discover the problem. I am hoping that you find a simple solution, but it sure sounds like an ominous problem. What are the chances of a loose head bolt or two?:shrug:
How many miles are on that motor? Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[mikebontoft]

hmm

If coolant is able to slowly leak into the combustion chamber overnight, that's a large enough leak to allow combustion pressure to find its way into the coolant. remove your radiator cap and start the engine. if it's spitting and bubbling everywhere, your suspicions are correct...

check your oil and coolant for a milky brown mess. make sure it really is white smoke, not blue.

 

[Philbush1127]

So I ended up deciding it was a blown head gasket. I started working on it earlier today and hopefully finishing it tomorrow. Took lots of pictures along the way. So I was reading some posts and apparently alot of people are having serious problems with multiple blow head gaskets. Is this just from them not being installed correctly or do these 5vz-fe motors like to eat them?