White Smoke From Exhaust

[avant]

sumtimes wen i gun my car hard i see white smoke come out from the launch, and once after a serious trashing white smoke comes out from the exhaust for a bit n goes away when idling, but most off the time racing ders no smoke or sumtimes dark brown, (only been running ultimate n optimax)

i just bought the car n its been running at least 14psi+ on factory parts besides pod n 3'' exhaust, according to the factory hg gauge with 140000 km

any ideas guys?? could it be signs of detenation??

[dezz]

from what ive been told...

black smoke = burning fuel (running rich)

blue smoke = burning oil (bad)

and white smoke i thought was condensation, but doesnt sound like it in your case...

[Al]

brownish/black smoke = running rich

white or blue smoke = burning oil

Sounds like you have a bit of blow-by, symptoms of a leaking seal in the turbo or a tired engine. Running 14psi+ on a std turbo, i would suggest you start saving for a replacement

[avant]

thanks guys, yea thought it could be a screwed engine, but it only happens sumtimes though, n sum guys reckon white smoke sumtimes is normal or even good for the engine, does this sound liable???

wud a compression test tell me if the engine is f*ked, if so how much wud it cost???

btw what is condensation???

[dezz]

by condensation i meant , for example when someone washes their car and the exhaust system gets wet...it'd burn off the water and make some smoke or steam which will look smokey....or when the car is cold etc...but yeah, doesnt sound like thats what u've got unfortunately

[Al]

Condensation is when, on a cold day/night, water droplets build up in the exhaust. Then evaporates when the exhaust heats up (white stem comes out of exhaust). This only happens on the first startup of the day.

It is more likely that your turbo has a leaking seal. Any reasonable performance mechanic can do a comp test on the eng. and check the turbo for you.

I do not beleive white smoke can ever be good.

But no need to panic, get it checked out, as these things could last for months/years just like it is.

[avant]

also if it has a blow by (which sounds like the case) shud i be taking my car easy n would it be possible to get this problem fixed up before it gets worst, like maybe a bottom end rebuild or isnt there much point, shud i just drive it until the engine blows, pls tell me what u guys think im lookin at here???

[Al]

Things to do: (in my order of preferance)

1/ Get turbo and eng checked by a good mechanic

2/ If blow-by is not too bad, ask mechanic to fit a quality "oil catch can".

3/ Empty the "catch can" weekly and keep note of how much oil is being used. Note: Always dispose of oil and top up eng. with fresh oil of the same brand and class.

4/ If turbo seizes, then replace it. Or save up for an upgrade

5/ Once the engine feels tired then rebuild it, no point in doing it now if you can't afford it or if the turbo is the problem.

NOTE: Could also be the valve stem seals in the head, leaking oil onto the pistons. So don't panic and take it to a decent mechanic.

[Savage Bliss]

Yeah dude.. white smoke normally means Turbo. Check seals and actuator.

[LO_R33]

Sounds like a turbo to me.. happened to my brothers turbo-charged VTi-R honda civic. He was using a rb20det turbo, and it was tired to begin with.

Is your car running a catalyic converter? Because my brother took his out (was restrictive) and he then got the white smoke problem (only had a little blue smoke before on full boost ~ 10.7PSI)

If your not too sure, take it off and check that it hasnt been gutted... if it has, fit a standard catalyic converter back on (restricts it) and the majority of the smoke shall go away. I cant remember the reason why more smoke etc came out after he took it away, something to do with no back pressure.

This is only a temp fix, and i suggest you do start saving for a new turbo... but this might get you a little longer life out of it. Goodluck mate.

Dayne

[markimak]

uh someone might have mentioned this b4.. but it might be ur head gasket.. coolant from the sleeves getting into the combustion chamber.. detonating and causeing white smoke.. 140,000kms on a turbo engine.. shit.. it prob is..

[avant]

thanks guys for all ur help, n yea its the turbo, looks like saving for me $$$, btw ne1 knos wat is the best turbo to fit to the std flange, i heard T3 are a straight fit for a good replacement?? n would i have to sav up for a fmic n boost controller too??

[Al]

If you are going for a bigger turbo, and there are plenty on the market that fit in the std location, you will need to upgrade the following:

- injectors

- ecu

- fmic

- fpr (fuel pressure regulator)

- exhaust

- oil & water lines, to the turbo

May have missed a couple, but it certainly is not as cheap exercise.

All the best!

[sidewazegtst]

White smoke can also be coolant leaking in to the cylinder's.

The best thing to do is trouble shoot.

1. Remove your intake and check for oil around the impeller blades. Also check for shaft play. Wiggle the shaft and listen carefully for any noises or excessive movement.

2. Check your I/C piping and throttle body area for oil.

3. Remove your spark plugs and check them.

- if they are just slightly black thats good.

- if they are white, your burning coolant and it could be your head gasket.

- if they have oil, your burning that and it's probabley a valve seal.

Doing all of this should hopefully source your problem. I had a similar issue like yours with my ka-t in my 240. It only smoked under boost and I narrowed it down to my turbo being toasted. I did all of the checks though (that I mentiioned above) to pretty much 100% confirm the problem.

Good luck man and hopefully it's nothing major.

Cheers

[00UCH]

last time i blow white smoke it was a fair bit i had a blown turbo...not kool.

[r32skyline_89]

white smokes not good!!!! Like AL said tired engine. runnin too much boost or just floggin the shit out of it. White smoke can mean so many things thats why its not a good sign.

[AMS]

Ok, I have a blown turbo on the Stagea, I had to drive a few blocks to get some fuel, driving very sedatly, I noticed a thick white haze behind the car. Ok, now I realise i shouldnt be driving the car, but tommorow is our annual show and shine which I have a place/set booked. Is prob about 6k's from my house, if I take it very easily, will it cause any major damage to my car?

[sidewazegtst]

Make sure your topped up with oil, take some with you, watch your oil pres gauge and DO NOT pump on it and you'll be fine. Try your best not to make boost and no high rev's either.

Do all that and you'll be fine without causing any damage to your motor.

I had the same problem on my old 240 and drove around for just over a month and had no prob's.

Good luck at the show.

Cheers B)

[AMS]

Cheers dude. Show and Shine was great

[smurf80]

by condensation i meant , for example when someone washes their car and the exhaust system gets wet...it'd burn off the water and make some smoke or steam which will look smokey....or when the car is cold etc...but yeah, doesnt sound like thats what u've got unfortunately

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I dont know how you wash your car mate but in all the years ive owned a car thats never happened. White smoke sounds like your turbo gasket is shagged.

Only time ive ever had steam is on a cold night and when the car first starts up after not been drivin for awhile.