white smoke

Discussion in 'Modifications & DIY how-to' started by johnswrx, Sep 25, 2008.

  1. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    Ok so my car has been putting out some white smoke at idle for a few months. I had it at topspeed for a new block and rebuilt heads and it has been doing it since.(not trying to bad mouth topspeed or blame them they do great work) It does it when im stopped at red lights and such not when actually driving down the road. It seems to have gotten worse as time goes bye. Any clue what this could be?
     
    #1 johnswrx, Sep 25, 2008
  2. WJM

    WJM Banned

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2004
    Messages:
    5,401
    Likes Received:
    0
    Do a compression and leakdown.

    If its a blueish white its oil smoke.

    if its WHITE WHITE its coolant.

    If its a light gray-ish color its normal for some cars during certain times of the year and dont worry about it.
     
    #2 WJM, Sep 25, 2008
  3. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    Sniff the smoke....does it smell Sweet or gasolineish?
     
    #3 Cool_____, Sep 25, 2008
  4. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    yeah its white white and has a burning smell to it
     
    #4 johnswrx, Sep 25, 2008
  5. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2005
    Messages:
    2,726
    Likes Received:
    0
    odd white white is usually coolant and its sweet...
     
    #5 nsvwrx, Sep 25, 2008
  6. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    It's coolant. Coolant seals on the turbo may be going out.
     
    #6 Cool_____, Sep 25, 2008
  7. WJM

    WJM Banned

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2004
    Messages:
    5,401
    Likes Received:
    0
    Much truth...

    However, you should be able to smell burned coolant in the exhaust.

    BUT...if its a super small amount, it may not smell but indeed smoke.
     
    #7 WJM, Sep 25, 2008
  8. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    so what happens if the turbo seals are going out? am i going to have to buy a new turbo?
     
    #8 johnswrx, Sep 25, 2008
  9. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    No you get it rebuilt if you can. Don't you have a rotated t3/t04s?
     
    #9 Cool_____, Sep 25, 2008
  10. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    yeah its a t3/t04s. how much do you think it would cost to rebuild it
     
    #10 johnswrx, Sep 25, 2008
  11. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    Probably 4-500.
     
    #11 Cool_____, Sep 25, 2008
  12. siegelracing

    siegelracing Registered Vendor<br><b><font color="#666666">bion

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,553
    Likes Received:
    0
    If it mostly smokes at idle, it is most likely turbo seals...

    Siegel
     
    #12 siegelracing, Sep 26, 2008
  13. Tray@topspeed

    Tray@topspeed Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2005
    Messages:
    320
    Likes Received:
    0
    Jonathan, Give me a call. The turbo is bad. Need to upgrade. Call me up.

    678-297-7770

    Thanks!

    Tray M
     
    #13 Tray@topspeed, Sep 26, 2008
  14. Afande

    Afande Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2005
    Messages:
    107
    Likes Received:
    10
    If it's white smoke then it's likely coolant but the t3/t04s turbos are normally oil cooled only....so is this one oil / water cooled?
     
    #14 Afande, Sep 26, 2008
  15. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2005
    Messages:
    7,338
    Likes Received:
    0
    Good point there Afande.
     
    #15 Cool_____, Sep 26, 2008
  16. siegelracing

    siegelracing Registered Vendor<br><b><font color="#666666">bion

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2004
    Messages:
    1,553
    Likes Received:
    0
    It's blueish smoke. It's just oil.

    Siegel
     
    #16 siegelracing, Sep 26, 2008
  17. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2003
    Messages:
    2,327
    Likes Received:
    0
    Do the compression check before you buy a new turbo.
     
    #17 Kokopelli, Sep 26, 2008
  18. Doug@DBW Motorsports

    Doug@DBW Motorsports Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2005
    Messages:
    1,359
    Likes Received:
    1
    We pulled the uppipe and there was no oil in the uppipe. Yet downpipe is covered in oil.
     
    #18 Doug@DBW Motorsports, Sep 27, 2008
  19. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 11, 2003
    Messages:
    2,327
    Likes Received:
    0
    or check that ;)


    I had a turbo rebuilt by Precision for 200. Give them a call. They are very reasonable and turn it around quickly.
     
    #19 Kokopelli, Sep 27, 2008
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)

Share This Page