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Coolant in combustion chamber (A20NFT/LHU)

Coolant in combustion chamber (A20NFT/LHU)


Cause Procedure
DEFINITION: Heavy white smoke and/or coolant smell from the exhaust pipe may indicate coolant in the combustion chamber. Low coolant level, defective cooling fan or a faulty thermostat may lead to a condition with high temperature that could cause damage to engine components.
1. A slower starting engine speed than normal may indicate that coolant has entered into the combustion chamber. Information is available in Engine crankshaft does not rotate (A20NFT/LHU) .

2. Remove the spark plugs and check if they are saturated by coolant or if there is coolant in the cylinder bore.

3. Check using a cylinder leakage test. During this test, a heavy formation of air bubbles in the coolant indicates a defective gasket or a damaged component.

4. Check using a cylinder compression test. Two cylinders "side by side" on the engine block with low compression may indicate a faulty cylinder head gasket. See Compression test engine .


Faulty cylinder head gasket Replace the cylinder head gasket and components if necessary. Information is available in Cleaning and checking the cylinder head A20NFT/LHU) and Cylinder head, gasket .
Warped cylinder head Replace the cylinder head and gasket. Information is available in Cleaning and checking the cylinder head A20NFT/LHU .
Cracked cylinder head Replace the cylinder head and gasket. See Cylinder head, A20NFT/LHU and Cylinder head, gasket .
Cracked cylinder liner Replace the components if necessary.
Porosity in cylinder head or block Replace the components if necessary.