quick run down, ive searched but i need some solid help plus i figured this forum isnt to busy so another thread isnt a big deal.. i have a 88 4.3 tbi s10 blazer. I was told the motor was rebuilt so it would seem that it has 11000 miles. if it wasnt rebuilt and the previous owner lied to me it has about 112k.
i smell gas alot and i have a good amount of white smoke coming out of exhaust. it happens mostly when the motor is cold and its cold outside but still a little bit when its warm.. it was idling pretty bad but i replaced air filter, plugs, wires, cap and rotor and now its not as bad but still a little rough.
next im getting about 170-185 miles to a full tank (i think cuz my gas gauge floats). I drive lightly, only city, about 8 miles round trip to work, and thats it. it takes a while for it to warm up.. 10-15 minutes while driving then its at operating temp.
my CEL has flashed on before but only maybe twice in the past two months. It doesnt stay on, just flashes for a minute then goes off. Ive got inspection coming up and want to get this thing in tip top shape.
where should i start? I'm gonna do an oil change next, what oil and filter is recommended? What should I do after that to solve these problems? Thanks for any help.

also can anybody point me to a write up on how to put belltech torsion keys on? or atleast tell me how with some pics..thankks

 

The first two things I would do would be run an engine compression test and a cooling system pressure test. Get back with us and tell the results.

 

i was thinking maybe replacing the thermostat and o2 sensors first? good idea or no?

 

You should find the reason for the white smoke (a sign of possible coolant in the combustion chambers) first. The O2 sensors could possibly have a connection to the gas smell and bad mileage, but the thermostat should not have a connection to the problems you mentioned.
As for oil and filter, any name brand oil (perhaps a 'high mileage' version) with an AC/Delco or Purolator filter will be just fine.

 

Regarding the oil change and following rriddle3's recommendations.... if you're in the US and have an O'Reilly's in your area, they still have Valvoline Blend (synthetic blend) and Maxlife for $2.79/quart when you buy 5... best price anywhere that's I've seen.

 

it sure sounds like a blown head gasket, which is what rriddle3 was getting at. even on an engine that has been rebuilt, you can still have a part failure, so don't disregard the previous owner's statement as not being truthful.

i had to redue the whole bottom end of the 4.3 in my '92 due to bad bearings-and it had less than 750 miles put on it when i saw the loss of oil pressure when idling. i even bought a brand new (not reman'd) oil pump to ensure proper lubrication for the new engine. guess it didn't matter though.

have you done your pressure tests yet?

 

he said the white smoke almost disappears after the engine warms up. Is that typical with a blow head gasket? I thought a blown head would get worse as it warms up?

Also if you place your hand over the tailpipe (not hot of course) and you don't get a lot of moisture on your hand does that mean it's likely not a head gasket?

Just trying to learn something myself here while following the OP and testing theories I've heard growing up.. Mythbusters style LOL

 

go Mythbusters! there's nothing wrong with testing theories rastoma, like you said, it's how we learn.

as for the symptoms of a failed head gasket, nothing will fail the same way each time, and can vary from truck to truck. case in point, i replaced the HG on my '92 Jimmy (Z code) 'cause it did the typical "white smoke" @ start up, and got progressively worsse as the truck warmed up. when i had to redo it 5 weeks later-'cause i was in too much of a damn rush the first time to do it right-i thought it was just typical cold Fall morning exhaust that i was seeing. but when i had a loss of heat and checked my coolant (which was practically empty), i started going through everything and found a leak in my cylinder pressure on the same side i had just done the head. when i pulled the head off (for the 2nd time!), i found the gasket had breached, but not as bad as the original, and showed signs of partially sealing back up when the engine warmed up.

fixed it-the right way this time-and the heads never gave me an issue again.

so i'd do the pressure test on the cooling system and the cylinders to see what's going on. and take your time and do it right, 'cause it's an even bigger PITA the 2nd time around, and more costly 'cause of wasted parts.

 

how much do these pressure tests gonna run me?