95 Hardbody KA24E XE shortbed white smoke billowing from below exhaust manifold 1995 Nissan pickup

[JustAnAverageJoeANN]

A few weeks ago the alternator belt came loose and broke.......I replaced the belt and drove it around the block, as I was pulling into the driveway a MASSIVE amount of smoke began spewing out from under the hood.....it starts after truck runs for about 3-4 minutes. I know with certainty that it is NOT steam (higher than a kite if you stand near it for more than a few seconds).

********LINK to diagram and origin of smoke https://imgur.com/EsdGrFC

Someone told me that the head gasket was bad, but he is NOT a mechanic. That said, I do have a decent picture of the oil from inside the valve cover and while it isnt perfect, it is the same color as far as I am concerned.


Does anyone have any further insight? I am no mechanic, but Irma did me in financially, lost a good 85% of everything I own due to roof POURING down rain, my other car was completely totaled so the truck is my last hope for a running vehicle. Let's just say that a bad head gasket would certainly be the icing on the proverbial cake....I dont know if I can take any more disasters, man-made, natural or otherwise.


Thank you

[Q451990]

to NICO!
The highlighted part on the diagram looks like the hose going to the thermostat housing, but your picture looks more like a gasket? Is the smoke sweet smelling?

[JustAnAverageJoeANN]

that manifold thing is on the drivers side of the motor, ie, opposite side of where the thermostat is located. No it smells like fuel.

[Q451990]

Ahh... Is the picture of a broken part that you removed?

[whomadewho]

Hard to arm chair analyze. Couple of possibilities- check the pcv valve - possible it came out of the block when the thermostat was changed. Check the tube from the EGR valve that goes to the exhaust manifold for leaks. Make sure the EGR valve is working properly. Could also be a restriction in the exhaust system. If it was a cooling system issue you would experience low coolant - white smoke coming from the tail pipe or a heating problem.

[whomadewho]

When the belt broke did it just come off or fly off? Does the truck have air conditioning? Did you check all the idler pulleys