2002 Engine Sounds like a Diesel and Blows White Smoke when Cold

[tony17112acst]

We just paid $17,000 for a 2002 Bravavda with 44,000 miles on it.

In the morning when starting it up cold, it is very very loud (and sounds like a diesel) and blows a lot of white smoke. It's not a water-vapor type of white smoke, it's heavy and hangs around, unlike steam would. The smoke and loud noise do recede after it's warmed up.

I know that's very vague but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what could cause this. We have a 30-day warranty, so I need to be armed with info ASAP.

Thanks in advance!

-Tony

[usa1811]

Take it to a GM dealer,not the one you bought it from, and have it looked at. You will probably have to leave it overnight. Then returne with the write up to the dealer you got it from.QUICK

[Bullethole]

Sounds like a modulator valve on the transmission. When they go bad they allow trans fluid in the engine and it will burn white smoke.

[tom3]

Sure sounds like a coolant problem to me. Might check with GM customer service, number in the owner's manual. The 02 models have been getting an extended factory warranty on the engine at no charge, mainly because of this type of problem. Steel cylinder sleeves in the aluminum block weren't right in many of these engines.

[tony17112acst]

Well, We haven't had any more smoke; it only occured the two days aparently. However, the engine still sounds like a diesel for the first 10 minutes.

One thing on the previous posts: The smoke is thick and white; it's not like steam that dissipated in the air quickly, so it's not a coolant leak, I'm fairly sure. The smoke is thick and hangs around; coolant leak smoke vaporizes fairly quickly.

Thanks for input.

Im trying to get the warranty straight; perhaps we can have it checked once we get the warranty Xfered.

[miker142]

Originally Posted by tony17112acst

Well, We haven't had any more smoke; it only occured the two days aparently. However, the engine still sounds like a diesel for the first 10 minutes.

One thing on the previous posts: The smoke is thick and white; it's not like steam that dissipated in the air quickly, so it's not a coolant leak, I'm fairly sure. The smoke is thick and hangs around; coolant leak smoke vaporizes fairly quickly.

Thanks for input.

Im trying to get the warranty straight; perhaps we can have it checked once we get the warranty Xfered.

It sounds like a coolant leak to me. Coolant produces a dense smoke that lingers just as you described. In fact, I have seen cars with coolant leaks leave trails of white clingy smoke behind them at they drive down the street. The smoke stays like a jet trail on a blue sky. Coolant also has a characteristic smell to the smoke, had to describe, kind of a sweet odor, once you have associated it with a car with the problem you never forget itl. My advice - keep a close eye on the coolant level to see if it drops. Finally, I have read posts in other forums that talk about some problem with the aluminum piston head cracking in early models, gm has extended the warranty to a 100,000 miles on that issue.

[cjpacitto]

It sounds like worn valve guides to me.

Worn Valve Guides:
If you drive the truck the oil gets pumped up to the top of the engine. When it is allowed to sit for a lengthy period of time the oil seeps through the valve guides and into the intake manifold/cylinder. It smokes for a while after you start it until you burn off all the oil. The valve guides do allow a little oil to seep while it is running, but you don't really notice because it is such a small amount and burns out so quickly. This was extremely common on 3.0 liter, V-6 Chrysler engines in the early 90's. I haven't heard of this problems on Trailblazers, but I haven't really been paying attention. It sounds exactly like it though.

It does not sound like a coolant leak to me because a coolant leak would usually be worse when hot with pressure built up in the system, not after sitting all night... unless it was a leak where the intake manifold meets the head allowing coolant directly into the cylinders.

Good luck