White smoke only on startup with low coolant

My truck has quite a bit of white smoke only on startup. I noticed it was getting rather hot. Upon checking the coolant I noticed it was low. After I filled it backup it seemed fine. But when I checked back later it seemed low again. I had checked where I parked for signs of leakage but did not find anything. Where do I start? Thanks in advance!

I would start with a coolant system pressure test and leak down. Then possibly a compression test to narrow out the possiblity of bad head gaskets. What year is it and what motor? The Vortec 350's are bad about intake gasket leaks.

no foam or milk in the oil right ?

do a leak down test

sounds like it is leaking into an intake runner or into a cylinder after its shut off

but if it gets to much into the cylinder and you go to start it and the piston compresses that water and prevents the piston from coming up(hydraulic lock) then you can have a big problem with a rod bearing

sounds like it is time to park it until its fixed


good luck

Its a 91 v6 original engine. Is there a way to check the oil without having to drain it?

Pull the dipstick, like just checking oil level....

If it is really foamy, or looks like chocolate milk coolant is leaking into the crankcase somewhere. Anyway, I agree with the above poster try a leak down test, and check the oil, let us know what you find and we will try to help.

I haven't done the leak down test yet. But when I checked the oil it looked normal.