Hi all, just purchased a 1989 escort. it has white smoke on tick-over even when warmed up. The dipstick oil is still all clean no milkyness. Has the head gasket blown?

Thanks

 

do you do alot of short journeys?? as can cause the symptoms which is nothing to worry about unless it's losing coolant?? then you have to investigate further!

 

it had been sitting there for 3 months before i bought it early this week, could be the cause?

 

possibly, you can get a lot of condensation in the breathers if left lying around etc or short journeys, so that could be the cause,
you need to be watching your temp gauge for any unexpected movement
watch for the heaters going cold
and obviously keep an eye on the coolant level, if you need to keep topping it up
then you have a problem
but it could just be down to having been laid up
so try giving it a good run 1st

 

Condensation in the exhaust from where it has gathered in all of the silencers etc. If you aren't losing coolant then I wouldn't worry at this stage

 

White smoke is most likely over fueling, if it is steam then keep an eye on coolant level and take it for a good drive.

 

When it was ticking over earlier it was spitting water out and left a wet mark on the garage floor. Cheers for all your help, will give it a good run when im finished repairing the rust .

 

Try a compression test. If its not using any water or full of mayo then it should be fine. Head gasket isn't that hard to change anyway doesn't cost much for skim, pressure test and gasket set