white smoke coming out.....?

[pocketAA]

I started my car the other day when it was about 40 - 50 degrees outside. I noticed white smoke coming out the pipes. I have saw on here people say white smoke is bad, but every car I have had to date has had whitish colored smoke coming out when it is cold out. During the summer months there is no whitish colored smoke, the car runs strong and feels strong. What is the deal distinguishing between good white smoke vs bad white smoke?

 

[ViperJoe]

You sure that you are not seeing condensation due to the colder temps?

If this "smoke" as you call it disapates rapidly, it is condensation......just like the "smoke" that materializes when you exhale in cold weather.

 

[GTSnake]

If it's thick white smoke then it could be burning oil or coolant. Black smoke or soot is fuel. Also it depends on the smell. You can usually tell by the smell what's burning.

 

[pocketAA]

From what I recall it does not smell like anything. It definitly does not smell like coolant or oil. Just smells like exhaust. The garage does not fill up with the "smoke", it definitly dissipates after a while. It must be condensation. So let me get this straight, if while smoke smells like oil or coolant than I have a problem correct? I realize if it is black then there is something definitly wrong.

Thanks!

 

[GTSnake]

I would tend to think it's just condensation. If there was something really wrong the white smoke would be thick and choking. If you have some black smoke that usually just means it's running rich. Mine does that sometimes on startup.

 

[AviP]

If it's cold, then it's probably condensation. That condition usually disappears after warmup or a short drive. After you drive around, park with the engine running (watch out for thieves!) and check the exhaust. If it's still white and outside temps are not dramatically cold, you might have a problem.

 

[Casey]

condesation

 

[KMODStang]

If there is no smell it is definitely condensation. If it has a sweetish smell to it, then it could be coolant. It would not disappear like the condensation does though.

 

[ViperJohn]

Next time you notice this condition. Go to your daily driver and start it when it's cold. You will notice white smoke then too.

 

[grcforce327]

Just don't let any white smoke out of the computer!!!

 

[hemibeep]

They are right. Just condensation.

White would be coolant/moisture.
Blue is oil
Black is fuel
I have had a head gasket go, and it is thick and lingers. Trust me you would REALLY know if you had a problem...looks like car is on fire...


Even here in FL on cool mornings I get a little white steam when it is warming up.

Your exhaust is a major collection point for moisture, (read stainless exhaust) and the steam is condensation in relation to the dew point.

 

[Rizzo]

I'm sitting here laughing. You need to come to where I live. Every car here must be screwed cuz every single one has white smoke coming out of it from Dec through February. lol... SOme times the cars and trucks smoke so bad up here that it creates a fog and we cant see 2 feet in front of us. Days like that **** and we usually just stay inside. Your skin freezes solid in a matter of seconds if its windy. Ahhhh. Welcome to the Canadian prairies..ha ha