I thought i had blown my headgasket after white smoke started shooting out of my exhaust while gunning it. Did a compression test today and it was 175 across all 4 cylinders on a cold engine.

The 3 things that could explain the white smoke are headgasket, bad rings or blown turbo seals. I feel like i can eliminate the first 2 due to the compression test and conclude that the smoke is coming from the turbo. Any objections?

Thanks ahead of time for any input.

-Johnny.

 

bump

 

Let me guess - Stock head bolts?

 

its the head gasket if you are getting white smoke! if you dont have head studs you should really think about getting some and use a really good tourqe wrench (snap-on, craftsmen) heat soke them then re-tourqe for maximun seal

 

arp headstuds + new headgasket = fix?

 

COuld be that you're running lean....running too lean also gives out a white smoke sometimes if it didn't blow up though

 

It is a possibility that I am running lean, however I havent changed my tune in several months. This happened about a week ago.

 

Sounds like head lift to me man. You can have perfect compression across the board and still have it because it will only leak under boost.

 

I am seriously doubting the head lift. Probably a turbo seal issue. People always say they are seeing white smoke, but half the time burning oil smoke looks very white. It will have a bluish tint, but can be hard to see.

 

test your coolant. There are kits that will tell you if you are getting exhaust gases in there.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SOHC_MShue &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I am seriously doubting the head lift. Probably a turbo seal issue. People always say they are seeing white smoke, but half the time burning oil smoke looks very white. It will have a bluish tint, but can be hard to see.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I agree. Perform a lead-down test to find the cause.

 

how much hp are you making? on how much psi?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Phoenix1 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

I agree. Perform a lead-down test to find the cause.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Compression is consistant.. Only smokes in boost. Leak down test isn't going to show crap. Now a block tester on the other hand will verify if its the headgasket or not.

 

did another compression test yesterday but with fully warmed up motor this time. 195-190-190-185.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbotime &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how much hp are you making? on how much psi?</TD></TR></TABLE>

this happened a week b4 i was getting it tuned. been running a friends tune with same exact car/setup as mine temporarily. so no dyno numbers. 7psi

btw i produced some smoke for a friend last night and he said it definitely smelled like oil and not coolant, he could always be wrong but ill assume he knows how to distinguish.