yoon

last night as i started my car, whenever i stepped on the gas, smoke would come out of my exhaust and then stop as soon as i let off the gas. couldnt really tell what color it was, it looked whitish grayish. the smoke doenst come out during idle, but i can smell it though. I thought it was my head gasket so i looked at the coolant, but it didnt look like the chocolate milkshake. any ideas? one of my friends told me i could be running too rich..

Lexmex

That could be true. On startup, it could start off a little rich and then the system gets leaned out. I sometimes get a little bit of water vapor in the morning and that gives a smell, too.

Check your engine oil level, too.

yoon

but it was still doing it, even when the car was warmed up. oil levels were fine too. do you know the symptons of a faulty head gasket?

Lexmex

Well, there are a few that come to mind:

-loss of coolant
-you can smell the coolant in the engine bay
-oil in the cooling system (the milkshake)
-loss of power
-radiator make noise (like a gurgle)

-also tell me what color your oil is (if other than normal)

Over time, and this is important to note, the smoke gets worse.

Lexmex

One other thing came to mind. Sometimes with a hotter running engine (can happen in summer months and the heat), oil can get by the piston rings and into the exhaust. I have not had this situation happen in my RX, but know some vehicles that my uncle works on did.