91 Honda Accord : some white smoke on startup

I have a 91 Honda Accord (automatic, 2.2 L I believe). I have a little white
smoke on startup, which goes away within a couple of seconds. I take it this
is coolant.

My questions are:

1) What are the possible causes? I know a bad head gasket is one, and a
cracked block is another. Anything else? [Something nicer? ]

2) What can I do to help the situation, assuming I don't want to put a lot
of money/work into the engine?

Thanks in advance,
-- R Flowers

 

If the engine is not consuming coolant, don't worry about the head/block. A
sniff of the smoke will tell you if it is coolant or oil, which I think is
at least as likely. Coolant smells sweet while oil smoke just smells funky.
(Technical term.)

Oil smoke on startup is usually a symptom of worn valve seals. They can be
replaced for a modest amount of money, but lotsa people just live with it.
Coolant seepage seen at startup is more ominous, because it generally
progresses to bigger head gasket problems. There isn't much to be done about
that unless you want to try your luck with the sealants that can be put in
the coolant. But first determine if it really is coolant smoke.

Mike

 

You sure it's white? Have somebody take a whiff of it next time. Coolant is
sweet. Does your coolant level in the reservoir drop over time?

Right now it's most likely the valve guide oil seals.

 

If you've actually got coolant in your exhaust, your head gasket is GONE!
Not gettin' there, but GONE.

 

I have not yet checked the coolant level. From what I can tell, the smoke
does NOT smell like coolant, nor does the smoke have that 'wispy' look that
condensation has. However, I have not had the opportunity to be right at the
exhaust pipe while having someone crank. It might be the oil. I will check
it out.

Thanks, guys.

-- R Flowers