white smoke from exhaust only at idle

gofastwrx · 03-19-2007, 04:09 PM

hey fellas, just the other day i changed the clutch on the now I know that this has nothing to do with the smoke that is coming from the exaust but anyways, the car just starts smoking out of nowhere and only at idle. When i start to drive the smoke goes away. Is this a sign that the turbo is taking a dump or could it be something else. Its thick white smoke, some friends tell me its coolant ( I have no clue) but i also smell some oil in there so I know its burning oil for sure. So I think its both coolant and oil, which could be the turbo, right? I am just baffled that it can happen so suddenly so if someone can help me out please do. im worried bout my baby

The smoke only comes at idle and a good amount comes out. HELP PLEASE Just for the record, the car just broke 98000 miles so I would think its time for a new turbo but I need to know before anything THANKS A BUNCH

wrxgtr · 03-19-2007, 06:24 PM

you my friend have a blown head gasket which is leaking coolant into your heads

koolpaul1082 · 03-19-2007, 06:56 PM

i wouldn't go that far yet! that would be the worse possible case. i would do a pressure test to your coolant system and run a compression test on all cylinders. but yes thick white smoke is always a direct indication of burning coolant, make sure that it is white for sure and not bluish.

wrxgtr · 03-20-2007, 11:16 AM

take it to a shop and have it looked at and please let us know the diagnosis

good luck to you and we hope it is nothing to bad

thebean123 · 03-20-2007, 02:16 PM

white smoke + exhaust = usually means oil ------->usually isn't a good thing

gofastwrx · 03-20-2007, 05:48 PM

the smoke is only white, not blue. but i still can smell oil. I havent been able to take it to the shop... too much work. i dont think the head gasket is blown. if the gasket is gone then wouldnt the car overheat??? and wouldnt it be smoking all the time not just at idle?? thats why i think its the turbo going out. anyways ill just leave the car at home until the weekend and then ill check the compression and whatnot..

Vew · 03-20-2007, 10:02 PM

White is coolant. Blue is oil. Black is too much fuel.

jwtarbaj · 03-20-2007, 10:03 PM

Have you checked your oil and coolant levels. White smoke indicates liquid in the combustion chamber being burnt off. Oil is typically a bluish tint. If your "burning coolant" the exhaust smells very sweet IMO.

NasbaTR · 03-20-2007, 10:52 PM

mine smokes when its cold outside... so im banking on it being ok

gleener11 · 09-25-2007, 02:10 PM

i would really like some answers too...i have the exact thing going on on my 04...took it to the dealership and they wont do warrenty work, because they say that the cobb stage 2 voids the warrenty, i was a little pissed about it...i have the same symptoms as said above, does anyone think i, or we could possibly have moisture in the gas? im possibly going to try heet and see just to clear up my head and then take it to a dealership. id really be curious to what you found with yours.

BAMBO · 09-25-2007, 02:17 PM

Help!!

Check this Thread ... I jsut went throught this with another guy ! Good Luck

PS I'm 99.9999% positive its your turbo but check it out !

BAMBO · 09-25-2007, 02:20 PM

^^ sorry in addition with the turbo going the smoke is mostly white with a bit of a blue-ish tinge to it . Is this the case?

gleener11 · 09-25-2007, 02:24 PM

it doesnt really have much smell to it, but there is an oil smell present...and it not really bluish but i could kinda see blue possibly a little bit....oh and i for got to say when i bought the car it had a turbo xs bov and an aem shorty intake...i know that they are pretty much the worst mods for a wrx haha but could they have caused this?

BAMBO · 09-25-2007, 02:35 PM

Well like I said I'm 99% positive that the issue is your turbo ... I really didnt want to re-type it but once again if you pull off the intercooler and look inside it, if there is oil in there you know its your turbo. I had the same issue with mine when shortly after I picked it up. It just gave me an excuse to upgrade my turbo .... and fuel pump .... and injectors ... and clutch .... and fuel rails ... and well I could keep going lol

gleener11 · 09-25-2007, 02:57 PM

i think i read this somewhere and if its you that replied, then im sorry, but is there a little upgrade that i could do that i wouldnt have to upgrade anything else. i mean just a straight bolt on turbo and be done?