So I have been seeing a little bit of white smoke on startup. I thought that it was b/c of the cold. Today I let the car warm up at idle and revved it up to 6k and saw lots of smoke.

I looked in the tailpipe and there is black oil residue. I am thinking either valve seals or head gasket. The car is an 01 w/ 28k mi. Runs fine, have not noticed power loss or anything. No overrevs or mods. Any ideas or advice?

 

where does the car live? outside or garage at night?

it still sounds like moisture build up in the exhaust system, that has not burnt out completely....

after letting it idle you say it still happens, correct? what about after you have driven it for 30 mins. or so?

does it still appear to smoke?

 

It lives in a garage, but not heated. And WA is a little wet. After idling for a while the residue was black and slick. I drove for a little while and no smoke (maybe it just wasn't warmed up all of the way). But after driving a bit (and WOT a bit), the inside of the tailpipes are dry but sooty. I had just wiped them out. Is this normal or am I running rich? Thanks.

 

sounds normal to me....

what brand of oil are you using? regular or synthetic?

 

Mobil 1 and K & N filter.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Speed Monkey &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">It lives in a garage, but not heated. And WA is a little wet. After idling for a while the residue was black and slick. I drove for a little while and no smoke (maybe it just wasn't warmed up all of the way). But after driving a bit (and WOT a bit), the inside of the tailpipes are dry but sooty. I had just wiped them out. Is this normal or am I running rich? Thanks.</TD></TR></TABLE>

dry and black soot? yeah, it's normal.


look for blue smoke if under wot, that would be burning oil

 

White smoke would be coolant... no?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by FR-MOB: Projekt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">White smoke would be coolant... no?</TD></TR></TABLE>

yes

 

Water jacket head gasket intake manifold throttle body... no?

 

the black stuff is just carbon build/dirt build up. and when it mixes with the moisture..it may resemble something a little similar to oil. im sure you are fine.