Car smoking while idle

[Hellboy1980]

Hi all,

Mr paranoia is back with another possible issue

Just as a reminder car is a 1.8 TDCi 2006.

Tonight I noticed the car was leaving some smoke while I accelerated fast. I decided to get out and have a look. Using a torch facing upwards the exhaust while idling I might add I noticed some smoke or steam hard to tell at 8pm in the dark. I got the missus to give it a rev and it got a bit more thicker. but stopped as the revs went down. The temp gauge was showing just below 90c and my car was saying the temp outside was 9c it is dry.

Now I know my petrol used to steam while idling do Diesels do this to? My oil level has not dropped and neither has my coolant and it passed its MOT last week with emmisions passing as clean.

Any ideas please. Thinking of selling it and getting a petrol. But I like it and I don't want to get rid.

Help a paranoid car owner

[MrMoonyMan]

If it smokes when idling after 30 - 45 seconds then it is likely to be turbo seals

[Krikkit]

Have another look in the daylight - the colour of the smoke is most important.

If it's white and disappears almost immediately (within a foot of the exhaust exit) then it's water, if it's blueish and lingers longer it's oil smoke.

[E-bmw]

As above, probably steam if it is white & does not linger.

If white, lingers & smells like diesel - incomplete combustion - further checks required

If white with a bluish tint - burning oil - further checks required.

FYI. When ANY hydro-carbon combusts one of the bi-products is water in the form of steam, it is why (when left with other products of combustion) exhausts rust from the inside out quicker than the outside in.

[Hellboy1980]

Thanks guys. I couldn't replicate it today while it was idle. And it is warmer


I do about 50 miles a day for work with about 75% of it being on the M43. On the rare occasion I get up to 70 but mostly 60mph.

I reset the MPG today to see what it gave me going and returning from work and it was 52.8MPG with 25% on city roads.

[SoCalDave]

Turbo seals issue or clogged oil passages. Best to do a dry and wet compression test to check.