Blown head gasket?

[Badot]

So I had about 3 major problems with my caravan (in the ~1.5yrs I've been driving it) and now a new one, white smoke started coming out of the exhaust... it smells kind of odd, like extremely bitter burnt chocolate, and only really starts smoking once it's warmed up. I assume this is a blown head gasket, but I just wanted to get some opinions before I go ripping the top end of the engine apart... I know a lot about cars but don't have a ton of experience with them. Oil isn't milky or anything, but I think I have caught it fairly quickly. Coolant is definitely lower than it should be.

Side note: A little while back I had major electrical issues with it (had to rewire things like fuel pump, starter switch, etc. so I have no idea if the computer is working properly.)

 

[CriticalMass]

Sounds like a blown head gasket, maybe small. White smoke is the key, water wont neccesarily go into the oil depending on where it failed.

Did the motor overheat? If so you need to check the head to make sure it isnt warped. If you caught it before it overheated then you should be in ok shape.

 

[robbie]

The other clue about the white smoke is that it will disappear if it's coolant steam. Oil smoke will diffuse and fade away. Steam will disappear.

 

[Bluethunder3320]

refill the coolant and try again? how long does it run before smoke?

 

[jareeB]

if the head is blow, just play it safe and have it milled

 

[Rustydog2010]

if the head is blow, just play it safe and have it milled

I would have it crack tested before I did anything else.

Jeremy.

 

[Badot]

Hasn't overheated, at least as far as I'm aware... I think I'd notice the temp gauge going too high rather quickly, and the temp gauge seems to work fine (goes from 0 to where it should be after warmed up, a little under halfway up like it always has). Still has coolant in the tank (albeit right on the 'min' mark by now) and the smoke does dissipate into the air. Haven't played around with it much but smoke starts coming out a bit after I start it (barely noticeable looking at the pipe) and gets worse the longer I run it until it gets to be... not horrible, but a fair amount coming out, enough to go maybe 2-3 feet before disappearing in slightly windy conditions after about 10 mins of idling, starting cool.

Oh, and anyone know where to get torque specs for all the bolts and whatnot? I figure at the very least I should get the head torqued down properly

 

[anderkart]

Oh, and anyone know where to get torque specs for all the bolts and whatnot? I figure at the very least I should get the head torqued down properly

We could probably do a google search and find the torque specs, but we'd need to know:

The year of your caravan? (also double check and post the month/year date of manufacture you'll probably find printed on the drivers door jam VIN# sticker)

And also what size/litre engine ya got? (4 cyl, V-6, diesel, turbo?)

 

[Badot]

It's an '03 Grand Caravan Sport, 3.3L V6 (non E85), dated 10-02.

I tried googling a bit and couldn't bring up anything save for some torques around the intake, from one of those Q&A websites (so I wouldn't trust it too much...)

 

[anderkart]

from one of those Q&A websites (so I wouldn't trust it too much...)

I hear ya man, i wouldnt trust most of those sites to confirm the sky is usually blue on a cloudless day

But these specs should be pretty dam good: --> http://olybrake.com/pdf/fel_pro_torque_specs_guide.pdf

 

[devino246]

A haynes or chilton manual is a good investment.