cosmo303

I didn't realize till I pulled off the interstate last night that I had a huge amount of white smoke coming out the exhaust. I immediately pulled over and shut down the engine. Popped the hood and everything looked fine. After about an hour I started it up and drove the 10 blocks to my house. When I started it up it didn't smoke for about a minute then started smoking more and more till I felt like spy hunter.

This morning I checked the coolant, looked fine. Then I started it and checked the oil which also looked fine.

So the question is is it the head gasket or turbo? I upgraded the turbo near the end of summer with one from a reputable vendor.

John

Zach951

same thing happened with mine, and it ended up being the turbo. Pull off all the piping to the front of the turbo and check the shaft play.

TRP951

white smoke would be coolant are you sure your not down on it?

cosmo303

The level was still in between min and max levels so seemed like it wasn't that. How much coolant does it take to smoke really bad?

eniac

First check your oil for white/yellowish froth. This is what happens to it when it mixes with hot coolant. Second do a compression test ASAP. It doesn't take much coolant to make the car smoke like my grandmother or to froth up the oil. You probably won't see a noticable change in coolant level unless it's dripping out your tailpipe.

RKD in OKC

White smoke typically means head gasket, especially if gets worse when adding throttle.

waynelambright

White smoke = water
Blue smoke = oil

cosmo303

I checked the oil again and it still looks normal. I wont be able to do the compression test till after work. Is it possible the turbo is leaking coolant into the intake or exhaust? The turbo was upgraded 6 months ago to a stage 3 though.

John

special tool

I bet you have a catch-can, huh?

cosmo303

Using stock aos, one of the things on the list is a Saikou Michi catch can. Im not sure where you are going with this but you know more then I.

special tool

interesting.
What oil do you use and what is the temperature at your house today?

cosmo303

I use castrol 10w40 and its
About 20f.

cosmo303

Compression test results 125 - 130 - 130 - 130. Not sure how good my tester is, it doesn't even have a name on it.

Any ideas?

86951Turbo

cracked cylinder sleeve? Try a Leak Down. Pressurize your cooling system and see if you are indeed loosing pressure. See if your spark plug has been steam cleaned.

If you suspect the turbo take the charge side of the pipes off and see if you see any coolant in the charge pipes.

White Smoke - Coolant
Blue Smoke - Oil
Black Smoke - Rich Fuel