white smoke

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

  1. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    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?
     
  2. WJM

    WJM Banned

    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.
     
  3. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Sniff the smoke....does it smell Sweet or gasolineish?
     
  4. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    yeah its white white and has a burning smell to it
     
  5. nsvwrx

    nsvwrx Active Member

    odd white white is usually coolant and its sweet...
     
  6. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    It's coolant. Coolant seals on the turbo may be going out.
     
  7. WJM

    WJM Banned

    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.
     
  8. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    so what happens if the turbo seals are going out? am i going to have to buy a new turbo?
     
  9. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    No you get it rebuilt if you can. Don't you have a rotated t3/t04s?
     
  10. johnswrx

    johnswrx Member

    yeah its a t3/t04s. how much do you think it would cost to rebuild it
     
  11. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Probably 4-500.
     
  12. siegelracing

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

    If it mostly smokes at idle, it is most likely turbo seals...

    Siegel
     
  13. Tray@topspeed

    Tray@topspeed Member

    Jonathan, Give me a call. The turbo is bad. Need to upgrade. Call me up.

    678-297-7770

    Thanks!

    Tray M
     
  14. Afande

    Afande Member

    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?
     
  15. Cool_____

    Cool_____ Banned

    Good point there Afande.
     
  16. siegelracing

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

    It's blueish smoke. It's just oil.

    Siegel
     
  17. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    Do the compression check before you buy a new turbo.
     
  18. Doug@DBW Motorsports

    Doug@DBW Motorsports Active Member

    We pulled the uppipe and there was no oil in the uppipe. Yet downpipe is covered in oil.
     
  19. Kokopelli

    Kokopelli Active Member

    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.
     

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