White smoke out of exhaust

I was wondering why it started to use about a 1/2 galllon of water every 5-600 miles. Changed the thermostat a few months ago thinking that was the problem, but now getting considerable amount of white/brown smoke out the exhaust. No water in the oil. I'm hopeing its just a head gasket and not a cracked head or block. Only has 72,000 miles on the engine. I'm thinking about dumping a can of Barrs head gasket sealer in it and see what that does to get me through to spring, but I doubt it will.

How much damage can these cans of over the counter head gasket sealers cost in the long run ? And why would I have a bad head gasket with only 72k miles ?

You wrote "water", but you really mean coolant, right? You didn't mention the model/year - any chance your drivetrain is still under warranty? Did this start happening after some maintenance or problem (coolant flush, etc)? Any overheating that you're aware of? Or, do you only use this vehicle for very short trips (i.e. no warm-up)?
I'm sure you can find folks who claim success with these sealer products, but I've always felt that if it can seal leaks, then what prevents it from also sealing other things such as radiator pathways :(.
Personally, I would skip the Barrs and do a compression/leak down test, and maybe a block test for combustion gas. Then, assuming the blown HG is confirmed, get if fixed because that amount of coolant loss is just going to cascade into other problems. Without an overheat, it probably just comes down to either a Monday morning special at the factory, or else just something defective with the HG - unusual these days, but it does happen.

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Originally Posted by avguy

these sealer products, but I've always felt that if it can seal leaks, then what prevents it from also sealing other things such as radiator pathways :(.
Personally, I would skip the Barrs.

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Strongly agree

But it depends on the age of your vehicle if your just looking for another year go 4 it.

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Originally Posted by xyz

Strongly agree

But it depends on the age of your vehicle if your just looking for another year go 4 it.

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You have the classic signs of a blown head gasket. At 73K, it can happen.

Bar'sLeaks is great for plugging radiator leaks. But it won't cure a blown HG.

Get the HG fixed - there is no easy cure that any additive will do for it.