Discussion
I'm a bit concerned that since this weekend whenever I start my car having left it for a while - the immediate surrounding vecinity disappears in a cloud of smoke!
Not sure if it is oil, or it is just starting very rich? It hasn't been a gradual thing either. I don't notice any smoke lifting off or changing gear, nor does it feel like it is running differently?
Anyone got any ideas?
Not sure if it is oil, or it is just starting very rich? It hasn't been a gradual thing either. I don't notice any smoke lifting off or changing gear, nor does it feel like it is running differently?
Anyone got any ideas?
If blue it is oil, if it happens only when cold it is most likely valve stem seals. These get hot on a turbo car and if they are designed for an Atmo motor they may wear faster than normal.
If black it is running rich.
If white and it smells like coolant it is coolant! I have found 2 "mildly" blown headgaskets by noticing a bit of smoke that appears upon startup. What happened is coolant was forced into the combustion chamber due to pressure in the coolant tank and upon startup it makes smoke out the pipes.
If you suspect the headgasket (a weak point in pretty much any turbo application) shut the car off when warm but not hot and stick your ear up to the exhaust or the open coolant tank. You might be able to hear a hissing or burbling. Try not to let anyone see you.
Hope this helps.
Mike
If black it is running rich.
If white and it smells like coolant it is coolant! I have found 2 "mildly" blown headgaskets by noticing a bit of smoke that appears upon startup. What happened is coolant was forced into the combustion chamber due to pressure in the coolant tank and upon startup it makes smoke out the pipes.
If you suspect the headgasket (a weak point in pretty much any turbo application) shut the car off when warm but not hot and stick your ear up to the exhaust or the open coolant tank. You might be able to hear a hissing or burbling. Try not to let anyone see you.
Hope this helps.
Mike
Does it look like "Harry Potter" mist?
If it is then it's just condensation. Turbo cars suffer more as lots of water forms as the turbo cools in this weather (90+ humidity plus cold nights).
Easiest way to tell is just stick a bit of white paper over the exhaust when you start it up. Leave it there for 1-2 mins, and then look at it.
If it's just wrinkled, then it's just water and nothing to worry about. If it's brown, then you have either a head gasket gone or one of the turbo seals is on the way out. If it's blue or black, then get off to your service centre ASAP.
I've used this for 12+ years on the UrQuattro and never failed to spot a blown turbo and/or head gasket before any serious damage has been done.
Finally, if it's "serious" then if you, when warm, just "press on" and then stop, if you get blue "whisps" then it's certainly the turbo. I've always got them within 1000 miles of the Ur throwing yet another turbo...
J
If it is then it's just condensation. Turbo cars suffer more as lots of water forms as the turbo cools in this weather (90+ humidity plus cold nights).
Easiest way to tell is just stick a bit of white paper over the exhaust when you start it up. Leave it there for 1-2 mins, and then look at it.
If it's just wrinkled, then it's just water and nothing to worry about. If it's brown, then you have either a head gasket gone or one of the turbo seals is on the way out. If it's blue or black, then get off to your service centre ASAP.
I've used this for 12+ years on the UrQuattro and never failed to spot a blown turbo and/or head gasket before any serious damage has been done.
Finally, if it's "serious" then if you, when warm, just "press on" and then stop, if you get blue "whisps" then it's certainly the turbo. I've always got them within 1000 miles of the Ur throwing yet another turbo...
J
Joust
Finally had time to check this out - did the tissue test and would say on start up that there was some spotting of brown just from the left hand exhaust - can't see any oil so it would be my guess that it is water. It was still puffing well even when warm. There is a very slight milkyness in the top of the oil fill cap too - but there isn't any sign of water loss.
Still wil get it checked out since it isn't something that started gradually - one day it wasn't there the next it was!
Unfortuntely Roush (in Warwick) are shut with some secret military programme at the moment, and I am now having much luck getting the factory to call me back! Will pester them next week!
>> Edited by ar-gto on Sunday 6th February 13:37
Finally had time to check this out - did the tissue test and would say on start up that there was some spotting of brown just from the left hand exhaust - can't see any oil so it would be my guess that it is water. It was still puffing well even when warm. There is a very slight milkyness in the top of the oil fill cap too - but there isn't any sign of water loss.
Still wil get it checked out since it isn't something that started gradually - one day it wasn't there the next it was!
Unfortuntely Roush (in Warwick) are shut with some secret military programme at the moment, and I am now having much luck getting the factory to call me back! Will pester them next week!
>> Edited by ar-gto on Sunday 6th February 13:37
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