Head Gasket?

[Clipper]

My baby is starting a bit harder lately, takes 10-12 seconds of cranking when cold, 5-6 when hot.
Kicks 4,5,6 times during cranking, before it starts. Takes some throttle.
Used to be 2-3 seconds, started right up first kick. No throttle.

When cold, big cloud of white smoke.

When hot, if I shut it off for more than 2-3 minutes, big puff of white smoke on starting.

Runs pretty well otherwise, power normal, no smoke unless I'm stomping on it.

I am hoping against hope that it is not a head gasket...any ideas?

Thanks in advance...

 

[Primer]

That's no head gasket, it's fuel related. I'm fairly sure it's either a weak or faulty glowplug(s).

If it were headgasket you would have some of the following symptoms:
Hard upper rad hose on cold start, overheating, oil in coolant, coolant in oil, the smell of antifreeze in the exhaust, etc.

I wouldn't assume the worst. If it's not giving huge amounts of trouble I'd casually investigate it, rather than spending vast amounts of time/money on the situation.

 

[RadioMan]

Use all of your senses while troubleshooting just about anything. Smell the smoke and you'll know if anti-freeze, fuel, or oil is involved.

 

[North Maine]

With as little info as you provided, I'm calling bad glow plugs... probly like 4 or 5 bad ones.

 

[Acesneights1]

Very simple. If you are burning water...you will be adding water. Have you have to add to your coolant res ?