New head Gasket smells like burn HELP!!!

[george1904]

ok so i had a blown head gasket i sent the head to a machine shop. They put it back and everything and they also fixed an oil leak. ok so everthing is running i drove today around the block but it kind of smells like something is burning. Theres no smoke coming out but something just smells like burn is this normal? because the car hasnt been running for like a year.

 

[92AWDHX40]

probably something on the exhaust.

 

[george1904]

probably something on the exhaust.

yea the exhaust is releasing alot of white smoke is that normal?

 

[MetalliHawk]

yea the exhaust is releasing alot of white smoke is that normal?

White smoke indicates coolant. If the headgasket was just replaced then yes there could be some residual in the exhaust. Possibly oil in the mix as well. If it continues after several miles then you should get it checked out, but give it a little time to burn everything off. The smell may be coming from new exhaust gasket(s) or whatever is burning off.

 

[george1904]

White smoke indicates coolant. If the headgasket was just replaced then yes there could be some residual in the exhaust. Possibly oil in the mix as well. If it continues after several miles then you should get it checked out, but give it a little time to burn everything off. The smell may be coming from new exhaust gasket(s) or whatever is burning off.

Before the gasket was replaced the exhaust was throwing oil but it stopped now. So is this pretty normal after a new head gasket?

 

[tkelly27]

A normal byproduct of combustion is H2O, which typically comes out in a vapor. Most cars are running so hot that you can't see the vapor coming out. When your car is first started (normally worst when it's cold outside) you can see the water vapor. Some cars you can actually see liquid water coming out (watch the tail pipes of modular V8 fords, when the take off from a light it will drain out!). In SD California you are very unlikely to get the conditions that would cause white smoke from a fully warmed up car. When it's really wet and really cold you'll see that up here, but not down there.

If the smoke is not gone when the engine gets up to running temperature or if it gets worse as you drive, it's time for a compression test, which your mechanic should do for free. If that is bad the head gasket job was botched. Head gaskets do not break in, nor will the steam go away over time, only get worse. They should have checked the head for cracks before they put it on too, so if it is cracked, I'd say it's on them to fix it.

Typically after work on your engine you'll get burning a burning smell from the grease and debris left on the exhaust, manifold and down pipe. While the engine is running, pop the hood and look for smoke and anything that might be laying on the exhaust components. Smoke can also come from bare wires arcing and starting fires.

 

[knochgoon24]

You could do a pressure test on the coolant system and look for coolant in the cylinders if to make sure it's all good.

 

[george1904]

A normal byproduct of combustion is H2O, which typically comes out in a vapor. Most cars are running so hot that you can't see the vapor coming out. When your car is first started (normally worst when it's cold outside) you can see the water vapor. Some cars you can actually see liquid water coming out (watch the tail pipes of modular V8 fords, when the take off from a light it will drain out!).

If the smoke is not gone when the engine gets up to running temperature or if it gets worse as you drive, it's time for a compression test. In SD California you are very unlikely to get the conditions that would cause white smoke from a fully warmed up car. When it's really wet and really cold you'll see that up here, but not down there.

Typically after work on your engine you'll get burning a burning smell from the grease and debris left on the exhaust, manifold and down pipe. While the engine is running, pop the hood and look for smoke and anything that might be laying on the exhaust components.

well today was pretty warm and when i did turn it on white smoke came out but it stop for a while then continued. I turned on the car like an hour ago and i didnt smell until a couple of minutes. People being telling me that its pretty normal after a head gasket job.Also next question i heard your not suppose to run the engine at high rpm's right after the new head gasket how long should you waait?