White smoke

[aldekei]

Occasionally I see a single puff of what looks like white smoke come from the engine bay at startup. The car runs just fine and logs show no indication of any problems.

This has happened three times since February, and I can't tell where it is coming from.

Any ideas?

tapawhat

[Raider]

exhaust leak

[aldekei]

That was my first thought. There is some minimal streaking where the downpipe connects to the turbo, but seems odd that it would only leak like that once in a blue moon.

tapawhat

[11MZR]

@aldekei;
I just installed a catless UR test pipe and the same thing has been happening to me recently. It smells, and the smoke comes out randomly after I drive, then stop at a light or stop sign. It does not do it at the first start up, or any start up. Did you ever figure out if it was an exhaust leak, or something else?

[aldekei]

Originally Posted by 11MZR @aldekei; I just installed a catless UR test pipe and the same thing has been happening to me recently. It smells, and the smoke comes out randomly after I drive, then stop at a light or stop sign. It does not do it at the first start up, or any start up. Did you ever figure out if it was an exhaust leak, or something else?

I did. The muffler shop that installed my exhaust neglected to tell me that they had trouble reinstalling the forward most stud on the downpipe and ended up leaving it off entirely. The leak only occurred for a few seconds when I cranked the car after it had sat for 2-3 hours.

I've since gone BT with a cp-e downpipe (the corksport design will not work with the atp hotside, btw), and my issue is now long gone.

Where is the smoke coming from in your case? If it is coming from your tail pipe and makes your car look like a fog machine, then I would pull your TIP and check for shaft play in the turbo (assuming k04). Otherwise, get under your car and look for signs of a leak. They should be pretty obvious.


tapawhat

[11MZR]

I'm thinking it's a leak because it's not pouring out like the bad turbo seals problem that these cars have. It's just a quick white/blueish puff randomly. I did have a hard time installing the test pipe, so it may be that. I'll have to check it out.

[KennyG]

I have done plenty of research on the white smoke pouring out my exhaust. Reading many threads I am glad it happens to others. I don't believe mine is turbo seal because it spools consistent. If you run catless like me you run rich, so that is what I believe my issue is. People yell at me all the time "your car's smoking". I have to turn it off at the bank or drive thru. Told the wife the turbo is bad and needs a GTX.

[11MZR]

Originally Posted by KennyG I have done plenty of research on the white smoke pouring out my exhaust. Reading many threads I am glad it happens to others. I don't believe mine is turbo seal because it spools consistent. If you run catless like me you run rich, so that is what I believe my issue is. People yell at me all the time "your car's smoking". I have to turn it off at the bank or drive thru. Told the wife the turbo is bad and needs a GTX.

I did the same thing. Once I started running cat-less, it smoked a little and I was like "oh man, blown turbo, guess I need a new one". She fell for it

Sent from, uhh..