White Smoke From Intake/Blue Smoke From Exhaust

[Mr.Hotrod]

Today my 87 2.3 ranger started acting weird. Right before i parked it, i was trying to race it by going 85 mph.. I normally do not shift past 4.5k rpms, but when i parked it at my friends house, white smoke started to come out of the intake when it's idling, and blue smoke comes out of the exhaust, and now whenever i start it a puff of blue smoke comes out and it doesn't seem to start up right away like it usually does, but the smoke kinda seems to go away when it's running. Everything clears up when i kept it revved anything higher than 1000 rpms, but it will not stay running anymore so well unless it kept it running for quite awhile, and my engine shakes like it's having a seizure... it's makes my whole truck shake. It sounds like it's running on 4 cylinders but not very well... I also noticed a lack of power (not that 2.3s are powerful anyway lol) Think my timing jump a tooth? It's been a year since i put on new belts/tune up

 

[Mark_88]

Could be timing causing some symptoms...but I'd consider pulling the plugs and checking for oil deposits...they may be fouled with it.

The engine could have overheated and the head cracked also...but I'd suspect a head gasket...so check for coolant in the oil and/or oil in the coolant...

The puff of smoke at startup could be the valve seals...if you also see a puff of smoke between shifts or when motor braking (otherwise just letting your foot off the gas and coasting, then tapping the pedal) then it's at least partially valve seals...and that involves just a head overhaul.

Could also be a number of other things like wires or coils contributing to the rough idle so you have a bit of work cut out to check things over...the oil and white smoke combo (both products of blow-by) could indicate simply time to rebuild the bottom end...you can somewhat extend the life of the truck once the idle is corrected (if possible) but...these motors will "steam" at around 1000 RPM where white vapour pours out the top end valve cover vent...it will go away at a lower RPM and reappear throughout the range...but only due to blow-by.