Hrmm I've been doing some reading at random, and everyone tells everyone else White smoke = Coolant = Head gasket.. Black = Rich condition (or oil) -- Blue = Oil, and so on.

Man, if its a head gasket that is 2grand or more no? Could it be just a slightly leaking head gasket or something?

Or is it really likely this white smoke is from fuel?

It smells like gas, but maybe it is the coolant smell -- It is a strong odor no doubt,.. but I can't differentiate because I've never smelled the difference in burning coolant vs gas.

 

Hrmm -- So drain the oil? Or is there any other way to check for this other than changing my oil?

Also, this is obviously not a huge leak atm,.. if it is one,.. So would it still be fairly obvious , you think, even if its only a little bit of coolant?

As for the pressure test, I have no way to do that.. heh. People always say do this and that -- but people don't have those tools laying around to do a quick pressure test. I assume you mean have it taken somewhere for a pressure test.

If this is a HG .. I wonder if that mechanic who sold it to me would give me one heck of a deal on replacing it. It didn't smoke when I bought it,.. but there are all kinds of ways, I imagine, to stop a small HG leak short term.

Nonethless what does a HG replacement, Parts plus labor cost on average from an indie mech?

 

You need to rule out the cheap options first. Have you recently topped up your power steering fluid. It should NEVER need topping up unless you have a problem.

 

radiator pressure test, autozone/kragen loan them out along with other tools, and they are relatively inexpensive.
http://www.autozone.com/in_our_store...ure_tester.htm

you dont have to drain the oil, its VERY apparent when its a blown HG, looking just at the dipstick and sometimes even the oil cap.


see, milkshake (this is on a bike but still...)

im not even going to get into how much a HG job will cost, you dont have it, unless you ran the motor for several weeks without ANY coolant with the temp gauge in the red.

 

Its the power steering valve. should be a 100$ fix and you are all set.

 

read first buddy, he already plugged the ACV a while back...

 

If its indeed the headgasket, then it would be the first I ever heard on a LS400. Hope thats not the case.

 

Heh, I think we are getting confused with my hi-jack on similar issue. The OP it is likely PS fluid,..

Me, who knows --

I'll humbly bow out here,.. keep all replies to the OP here. I have enough threads of my own.