white smoke

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Nov 3, 2010 | 12:05 PM

redvolvonyc

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white smoke

White smoke keeps coming out the exhust on my 2000 s40 . It started in the spring. but went away during the summer. Now that it's cold it started again. Someone told me it could be that the turbo needs to be replaced????
Please help

Nov 3, 2010 | 04:36 PM

740_300K

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From: Merrill, WI

Usually white smoke would indicate that the engine is drinking coolant. But, in this case, it's normal. When it gets cold out, it's the hot exhaust meeting the cold air, and condensating. I'd say it is nothing to worry about.

Nov 3, 2010 | 04:45 PM

swiftjustice44

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From: Dallas, TX

Smoke color and what it means

Black- Fuel Mixture rich
Blue- Oil burning
Brown- Carbon build up breaking loose
White- Moisture, water or engine coolant- transmission fluid burns white also but that is seldom introduced into combustion inadvertantly

While a failing turbo can indeed smoke white, more likely your car is simply getting moisture condensation in the exhaust system. If the smoke is limited to start up and is only for a minute or so, it's condensation. Typical times are if you shut the warm car down in the evening with high humidity and crank it the next morning. Hot exhaust, cold humid air...condensation every time.