White smoke until warm

[BBSparky]

Hi Everyone, been reading the forums for a while trying to get to know more about my new car ( 98 1.8t Avant Auto in Paradise Green ) and have found answers to most things but just have the one question.

When we first start the car and until its up to temperature i get a fair bit of white steam/smoke from the exhaust when you accelerate. I have been keeping an eye on the water and oil levels but neither seem to be dropping. I am getting an intermittant error from the maf in vagcom and will need to get a replacement for this soon but could this be the cause? Only other thing i can think is that its some kind of condensation in the exhaust which i could understand in a stainless one but not on a standard.

Any ideas would be most appreciated

Marc

 

[aragorn]

i suggest you get out and have a closer look at the smoke.

Its highly probable that its simply condensation inside the exhaust system turning to steam and coming out the back. Most cars do it for the first few minutes of driving, especially when its cold/damp. Its not limited to stainless exhausts.

Have a look at the smoke and see if it smells of anything and see if it looks like steam or smoke.

 

[BBSparky]

cheers for the reply, not so easy im afraid as it only seems to do it under load so tick over isnt enough to tell. Guessing its just condensation but seems more than other cars over here ( maybe the heat from the turbo is causing more condensation in the exhaust?!). Guess the main test will be if its still doing it when the weather warms up a bit ( so a fair way off over here on the little rock! ) as ive only had the car since january. Will just keep a close eye on the oil & water levels and make sure nothing is dropping.

Marc

 

[Adam-D]

mine does it for about mins then stops mine is just a v6 with stainless system

 

[aragorn]

just get someone to give it a rev while you examine the exhaust?

Or you could try getting someone to drive along close behind you too see if theres any unusual smells.

It really does seem like just condensation though. We dont tend to notice it too much in ours unless for instance we're reversing out of a space,or stopped at a junction with the wind blowing from behind, but it does do it.

 

[jcb]

mine steams when cold.
it has a build up of condensation in the exhaust, so much so that sometimes I can hear a bit of a gurgle as it gets pushed down the system

 

[BBSparky]

Cool, cheers guys, has put my mind at ease a bit now. Can get on to sorting out the other little niggles. Just enjoying being back in a vag car after a few years away

 

[mattv6]

My V6 also blows a fair bit of steam when its cold or wet but never uses any water and very little oil.

Roll on summer.

 

[Oranoco]

Mine steams loads. Can often still do it after getting to work which is a good 20 minute run, car uses no oil or water so I'm stumped

 

[moncheeka]

Mine just started steaming too. Even in this (quite) warm weather. I cant tell if power is down as ive only had it a coupla weeks and havent really put my foot down. If its the Turbo, i'll be gutted. How much am i looking at?