LexieLS

I see a puff of white smoke every time when I start the car in the morning (after the car sits all night). Then once a while I would see a leak on the ground in my garage. The leak appears to be the same color as the coolant. Am I facing a bad head gasket seal? What is the difference between bad seal and blown head gasket. How much do you think it will cost to repair this? Thank you.

Pheonix

I think you may be in the wrong spot. Your profile says you have a 95 LS400.
Anyways. That does not nessicerally mean you have a blown head gasket. I wouldn't think on first glance it's a blown head gsket.


When you blown a head gasket - they're gone! They don't re-seal, they just get worse. You'd be dumping coolant in the chamber & exhaust in the coolant pasages all the time.
The white puff is likely just residual moisture steaming off when the exhaust pipe warms up for a few min. (Most cars do this.)

I would be more inclined to think you've got a leaking radiator hose. Something along those lines.

LexieLS

The car I'm refering to is a 99' ES300. I will have the radiator hose checked for any leak.

Pheonix

OK. Be sure the water under the car isn't just that; water.
Keep in mind that whe you work the A/C, all the condensation has to go somewhere, i.e. the ground!

GlassyLex

sounds like your smoke in the morning is probobly valve seals, the smoke is probobly a light bluish tint. those leak only after sitiing like overnight. after the car shuts off, all that oil leaks past the bad valve seal puddllimg up in the combustion chamber. when you start the car it burns that oil buildup causing blueish smoke for a few puffs
heresb a tip
tomm morning go outside and when u start it run to the tailpipe and take a sniff
coolant smells sweet, oil smells like burnt oil
good luck

vin 78

Look under your oil cap, if you have a blown head gasket then the oil and coolant probably already have mixed and turned to a mocha color.