99 Ram 1500. The amount of white steam coming from the tailpipe after starting is alarming. It eventually goes away after driving a few miles. But seems to come back in smaller amounts after the truck is shut off for a few minutes (brief errand. Also cold, wet day.) I have only recently began measuring coolant level. Last Saturday the oil change people topped it off to full. One week of cold wet weather and 120 miles it's down apprx one quart to nearly the add line. I filled back to full line and marked it. Engine runs just fine. I mean good. Oil looks good & clean, no choc milk. But compared to other trucks, even Dodge trucks in similar circumstances, mine blows the most steam easily. Also noticed that after truck is warmed up and the heat is on it blows wicked warm air. Almost uncomfortable. I am clearly afraid of a head gasket. Thanks for any help.

 

Not real unusual in cold weather. There is always a bit of moisture in the air..... and it will condense in the hot exhaust. If you aren't losing any coolant, nothing to worry about.

 

As I said in the original question, I lost a quart of coolant in a one week period of mild driving. (apprx 100 -120 miles plus running the truck while parked in cold weather some.) They (Superlube) had topped it to 'full' in the plastic overflow tank. It had dropped a quart to nearly the 'add' line. I guess I'm going to have to keep an eye on that and figure out if it's leaking somewhere else. I will monitor it closely. If you could see the amount of steam coming out while it warms up, it feels like putting 2 and 2 together you know? I can't drive it until I get the break light issue resolved. They stay engaged when I turn the truck off, switch off lights and get out of the truck. This is brand new as of Friday eve. It's actually hard to tell if it's break lights or tail lights. I am far more concerned about the former. I am so terrible at buying vehicles I only get good ones when someone else puts me on to them. I feel cursed. I reckon that if /when the head gasket finally gives way I will save the money and fix it. I really like the truck. I read under another similar inquiry to ask your mechanic to do a coolant contamination test to see if the coolant had co-mingled within the motor? Sounds like more of a crime lab test to me. Thanks for your answer and if you think of anything else helpful I would appreciate it.

 

You can rent a block tester and test the coolant for exhaust gases. Look on youtube and you'll see how it's done. Should cost less than ten bucks (for the fluid) and the tester rental is free once you return it.

 

Smell the exhaust/steam! Does it smell like burnt antifreeze? If you don't know the smell take it to a mechanic, One whiff and he will tell you if it's antifreeze. It's a distinct smell so easy to identify.

 

also if you are in a colder climate as temps drop rubber hoses contract some, check all of your hose clamps
and make sure they are tight