White smoke on idle

[bilko0795]

Hi can anyone explain that when the car is at idle it starts to blow white smoke it didn't happen all the time but now it;s getting more frequent the smoke does seem to have a faint oil smell to it, have asked a few mechanics who seem to think head gasket and one says it could be oil stem seals any one had this with their car?

[simon20vq]

Blue smoke valve stem seals I thought, turbo white smoke. Also a stainless exhaust can give similar symptoms on short journeys or on start up.

[piotr]

Is the car loosing any coolant,do you need to top it up from time to time?

[adam g]

A compression check will tell you if the head gasket has gone.

Sent from my D5803 using Tapatalk

[mike74]

you sure its not because of the cold weather just now? does it disappear when the engine's hot or is it there all the time?

[rxl]

i had lots of white smoke comming out and my turbo was damaged and downpipe was full of oil

[LSG]

Maybe it would be better to put a video of it. We can all tell you different problems it could be but its hard to say without seeing it first hand. Sorry if that's not very helpful. I don't think you want incorrect advice and the bill to sort something that didn't need doing.best regard lynn

[mac2226]

My car did this but only on start up for few minutes then it would clear been told several things but one was turbo oil seals which can suck there own oil seals out?obviously depending how hard you push them some need back pressure? I think you should take it to mechanic and have it checked over some one who knows these cars All best Michael

[SteveH]

If it's oil smoke it should smell like burning oil. If it's coolant it typically has an odd, slightly sweet smell. I always have a little white vapour out of the exhaust on a cold start. Car doesn't burn oil or lose water, so I've put it down to normal running for my motor/exhaust/engine condition. If it's not bad and it disappears when warm, I wouldn't worry too much about it.

[GazzaG60]

if its still a 4 pot get an abf gasket on replacement. its mls

[bilko0795]

Thanks for all the answers it's mainly when the car is hot and disappears when driving and it starts when i have been idleing for a few minutes then goes when i drive off. I have a 3" inch stainless exaust fitted turbo back no cats could this cause the issue ?

[Ian Simmonds]

Thanks for all the answers it's mainly when the car is hot and disappears when driving and it starts when i have been idleing for a few minutes then goes when i drive off. I have a 3" inch stainless exaust fitted turbo back no cats could this cause the issue ?

Unscrew one of the inlet manifold boost pipes between the intercooler and the throttle body, run a bit of kitchen roll around it. If its black with wet oil it'll be turbo oil seals. Ours is doing exactly the same (replacement turbo already bought). It's fine on short runs in traffic and on long motorway runs, but get stuck idling in traffic when it's oil is hot and it'll disgrace itself with a 'puff' when the engine speed changes.

[bilko0795]

Thanks i will do that, if it's the oil seals can new ones be bought or is it a new turbo tha'ts needed or refurb.

[simon20vq]

Try some thicker oil and semi synthetic??

[bilko0795]

Will try that as it's due an oil change