DEFINITION: Excessive white smoke and/or coolant type odor coming from the exhaust pipe may indicate coolant in the combustion chamber. Low coolant levels, an inoperative cooling fan, or a faulty thermostat may lead to an "overtemperature" condition which may cause engine component damage.

1. A slower than normal cranking speed may indicate coolant entering the combustion chamber. Refer to Engine Will Not Crank - Crankshaft Will Not Rotate .
2. Remove the spark plugs and inspect for spark plugs saturated by coolant or coolant in the cylinder bore.
3. Inspect by performing a cylinder leak-down test. During this test, excessive air bubbles within the coolant may indicate a faulty gasket or damaged component. Refer to Cylinder Leakage Test .
4. Inspect by performing a cylinder compression test. Two cylinders "side-by-side" on the engine block, with low compression, may indicate a failed cylinder head gasket. Refer to Engine Compression Test .

Faulty cylinder head gasket

Replace the head gasket and components as required. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection and Cylinder Head Replacement - Left Side or Cylinder Head Replacement - Right Side .

Cracked cylinder head

Replace the cylinder head and gasket.

Cracked engine block

Replace the components as required.

Cylinder head or engine block porosity

Replace the components as required.

Warped cylinder head

Machine the cylinder head to the proper flatness, if applicable and replace the cylinder head gasket. Refer to Cylinder Head Cleaning and Inspection .

Defective external oil cooler

Replace the components as required.