a lot of smoke at startup...

[A Foore]

I've mentioned this a while back, but have no answers and I found something else interesting about my situation. Well, here's the briefing.
For the last few months (all of summer), I've noticed a lot of smoke coming from my tail pipe when I start my car. This only happens intermittently and when it does happen, it's usually after the car has been sitting for at least a few hours. Usually the next morning. There would be a lot of smoke, then after about 30 seconds to a minute, the smoke would be all clear. What I've noticed is, when I step on the gas while there's smoke, it would "puff" the smoke out quicker. Another thing I've noticed is when I turn up the fan in my car, there would also be more smoke. Either way, after about a minute, all the smoke is clear and it's all fine. No CEL, hesitation or anything. I just find it kinda odd.
No, it's not burning oil. The smoke is not blue, but kind of like a greyish/white. And I dont think it's leaking coolant, cuz if it was then I would have had to top up the coolant already, which I haven't cuz it's full.
Actually, now that I think about it, it may have started right after I changed my plugs, but I don't see why plugs would cause that to happen.
So....any ideas what may be causing this?
Sorry for the long message.
Thanks.

[Anthony]

Did you check all of your hoses? That's where I'd start.

[A Foore]

Originally posted by Anthony
Did you check all of your hoses? That's where I'd start.

If there was a leak in a hose, then wouldn't I get a CEL light since it's been like this the whole summer?

[DDQ]

No, you won't always get CELs unless it trips a code.

The type of smoke you're describing sounds like it's due water/coolant leaking into your system. If it's happening frequently and it can't be written off as condensation here and there, then I'd say you have a leak somewhere.

One common problem this indicates is the head gasket.

Have you noticed your coolant level go down at all?

[Burntaudi]

Sounds like a leaky fuel injector. If you had a leaking fuel injector it would drip into one of the cylinders. When you start the car it's gonna take a minute to burn off the extra fuel once it does the exhaust is gonna clear up.

Does it run rough till it clears up?

[A Foore]

Originally posted by DDQ
No, you won't always get CELs unless it trips a code.

The type of smoke you're describing sounds like it's due water/coolant leaking into your system. If it's happening frequently and it can't be written off as condensation here and there, then I'd say you have a leak somewhere.

One common problem this indicates is the head gasket.

Have you noticed your coolant level go down at all?

Nope, coolant level hasn't gone down. If it's a leak somewhere, then wouldn't it always happen rather than just intermittently?

Originally posted by Burntaudi
Sounds like a leaky fuel injector. If you had a leaking fuel injector it would drip into one of the cylinders. When you start the car it's gonna take a minute to burn off the extra fuel once it does the exhaust is gonna clear up.

Does it run rough till it clears up?

I never tried running it while it was smoking. I just wait til the smoke goes away before I drive. If it is a leaky fuel injector, then would it smell like fuel when the smoke comes out?

[Burntaudi]

Yep it's gonna smell like gas if your burning off extra fuel.

[voodooA4]

if the smoke smells sweet, then it's probably coolant. don't inhale too much though...

[A Foore]

Seems like a few people have mentioned coolant. If my resovoir (sp) is full, then where is the coolant leaking from?

[EC Motorwerks]

I didnt read your whole post b/c im exhausted. But , when my car was doing that, it was the sign of the turbo going bye bye's.

[bitterchild]

you have to diagnose the smoke as either fuel, coolant or engine oil. If its oil, mechanically its likely your valve stem seals

[A Foore]

Originally posted by bitterchild
you have to diagnose the smoke as either fuel, coolant or engine oil.

I alreadly mentioned that in my post

[A Foore]

Originally posted by bitterchild
you have to diagnose the smoke as either fuel, coolant or engine oil. If its oil, mechanically its likely your valve stem seals

If I am burning engine oil, then the smoke will be blueish, correct? Also, if it is engine oil, wouldn't the smoke be constant rather then just at start up?

[DDQ]

Originally posted by ImportRacer
I alreadly mentioned that in my post

I don't see where you mention it in your post.

We still don't know if it's coolant, or fuel causing the smoke. You can rule out oil if it's not blue/black smoke.

It could be a small coolant leak, that pools up a bit when the car sits, hence the smoke at start-up. After that it may not smoke much after it burns off.

So after you drive the car for bit, then stop and let it idle, you don't see the smoke at all anymore? If not, then I would check what burntaudi said above.

[A Foore]

Originally posted by DDQ
I don't see where you mention it in your post.

We still don't know if it's coolant, or fuel causing the smoke. You can rule out oil if it's not blue/black smoke.

It could be a small coolant leak, that pools up a bit when the car sits, hence the smoke at start-up. After that it may not smoke much after it burns off.

So after you drive the car for bit, then stop and let it idle, you don't see the smoke at all anymore? If not, then I would check what burntaudi said above.

I did rule out burning oil since it's not black/blue. I
have tried stoping and idling for a bit and no, there is no smoke.
I guess this issue would lean more towards what burntaudi said regarding the fuel. I haven't smelled the smoke yet, but I will the next time this happens.

[Devious27t]

Originally posted by Burntaudi
Yep it's gonna smell like gas if your burning off extra fuel.

iirc unburnt fuel comes out black not white. the water jackets on his turbo could be on its way out. that would not throw a code. sounds like someone didnt cool the turbo properly...

[nizmosx]

when my bypas valve hose blew off and car was running rich black smoke was comming off so if your smoke is black then its possible its an injector leak but i doubt that it is if you say the smoke is grey. if its grey i want to lean that its more on the coolant side but i never had this problem before. i just hope its not the turbo going out. knock wood.

[A Foore]

Originally posted by DVS18t
iirc unburnt fuel comes out black not white. the water jackets on his turbo could be on its way out. that would not throw a code. sounds like someone didnt cool the turbo properly...

Water jackets? Sorry, I'm still pretty new to turbos. If it is the water jackets, then will the turbo need replacing or is that part you're referring to replaceable?
As for cooling the turbo, I think I cool it properly. When ever I drive hard before my destination, I open up the door a bit for the door open chime and I shut the car off when the chiming stops. Otherwise I drive normally a few blocks before my destination.

Originally posted by nizmosx
when my bypas valve hose blew off and car was running rich black smoke was comming off so if your smoke is black then its possible its an injector leak but i doubt that it is if you say the smoke is grey. if its grey i want to lean that its more on the coolant side but i never had this problem before. i just hope its not the turbo going out. knock wood.

If it is the coolant, then wouldn't I have had to top up the coolant by now? It's been happening since beginning of summer.

[nizmosx]

no not realy, even tho your coolant is correct it doesnt mean you have a big leak, like you said its only for a little bit at the starts and that it doesnt happen all the time, if you said it happens all the time when you drive then i can see how you will see a noticable difference in lost fluid but if it only hapens once in a while and not very long then it still is a possibility,