Here's why:
* The Combustion Chamber Connection: The cooling system and combustion chambers are normally completely separate. If coolant is entering the exhaust system, it's because it's getting into the cylinders. This happens when there's a breach in the seal between the cylinders and the cooling passages. This breach is most often caused by a blown head gasket, but a cracked cylinder head or block is another possibility.
* Symptoms: The coolant enters the combustion chamber, is burned, and exits through the exhaust system as steam (you might see white smoke, especially when the engine is cold) and potentially some remaining coolant residue. The catalytic converter can be damaged by the coolant (overheating) and may also leak coolant as it gets clogged with residue.
What you should NOT do:
* Keep driving the truck: Continuing to drive with a blown head gasket or cracked block will cause extensive and costly damage to the engine. You risk severely damaging the catalytic converter, pistons, and other components.
What you should do:
* Stop driving the vehicle immediately.
* Have it towed to a qualified mechanic. This requires a proper diagnosis and likely a major repair. The mechanic will need to perform a pressure test on the cooling system and possibly a compression test on the cylinders to pinpoint the problem.
* Prepare for a significant repair bill. Head gasket replacement or engine repair is usually a costly undertaking.
Ignoring this problem will lead to far more expensive repairs down the line, potentially requiring a complete engine rebuild or replacement. Get it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
