Is this right

[bilko0795]

Hi guys just wondering iff the presence of white smoke is a cause for concern when the car is idling there is a constant puffs of thick white smoke from the rear of the car and there is also a smell of fuel. Also when you give it some welly you can see a continues trail of white smoke or is this normal?

[ian4455]

Head gasket gone ?

[Ross]

Sounds about right on a cold start with a decatted exhaust, mine's like that especially if it's not been run for a few days. But it should clear within a couple of miles as the condensation in the exhaust burns off... otherwise head gasket sounds like a concern, is it using any coolant?

[mcandmar]

Agree with above, depends when this is happening. After a cold start its just condensation, after a long drive then i would suspect head gasket or turbo.

[bilko0795]

Hi no coolant being used also oil is ok and no sludge on oil cap. had someone look at the car said turbos ok.

[urq20v]

White smoke,not steam,is quite often oil burning in the hot exhaust.Sounds like the turbo hot side oil seal is leaking.The smoke would be blue if it was burning through the engine.

[Takumi]

no any oil burns white smoke. Doesnt matter if its engine or turbo - shuld be blue.

[urq20v]

Not so! I have had personal experience with three K-24 turbos all with hot side seal failure producing white smoke from the exhaust.It is also possible that the valve stem seals are leaking.

[bilko0795]

Iff it is oil valve stem seals or the turbo seal what work is involved to fix it and how costly.

[DJones]

Iff it is oil valve stem seals or the turbo seal what work is involved to fix it and how costly.

Before you start pulling it apart make sure you are focusing on the right problem.

Firstly: if its oil it will stink and hang around, you will be under no doubt that its oil burning.

Secondly: If its the head gasket you will lose water and the steam will smell and almost taste sweet but mist away. Do a compression test.

Thirdly: If it clears after a couple on minutes driving its normal.

Darren.

[europeanme]

Iff it is oil valve stem seals .

my valve stem oil seals have gone...and the smoking would be more intermitent unless they all went at once....I must say it does sound like HG or turbo seals...I could be wrong...often am..

[mcandmar]

Not so! I have had personal experience with three K-24 turbos all with hot side seal failure producing white smoke from the exhaust.It is also possible that the valve stem seals are leaking.

2nd that, our S4 was the same when the turbo went, puffs of white smoke that looked identical to a head gasket failure, turbo hot side was damp with oil when removed.

[bilko0795]

Where on the turbo is the hot side i might as well change the seals anyway since it,s the cars on 111,368 miles.

[Ross]

You're looking at removing the turbo and sending it off to have the seals changed, a couple of evenings in the garage and a few hundred quid for the rebuild or a hefty bill if you're paying for labour too. Not something to do unless you're sure its required - at least unbolt the downpipe and check for oil inside the hotside housing first!

As for mileage 111k is young on a K24 so I wouldn't do it out of routine on that basis either.

[bilko0795]

Thanks Ross for the info am thinking of changing the turbo for a hybrid one next year so will leave alone and do what you suggested with the downpipe for piece of mind. Also how do you know iff you have a boost leak?

Cheers.

Ray.