Well guys i got my 96 850r today and there isquite a bit of white smoke coming from the tail pipe at idle. Now at first I immediatly thought it is the head gasket, but the temps are fine and the car runs perfectly. I really dont understand? Im a complete noob with this car I just bought it. The car has 104,xxx miles on it, I bought it from another state,the thing that upsets me is the volvo dealer did a pre purchase insepection for me on the car and said everthing was fine, could thing go that far south in like 200 miles? Im really upset right now but I need to know what I should do, where I should start.

Thanks in advance guys.

~J

 

Are you sure it is white smoke?

It sounds like it could bewhite water vapour to me, and that is nothing to worry about because this would besimply condensate that had been drawn intothe exhaust system when the engine was cooling downand then being forced out assteam whilethe engine warms up to normal operating temperature.

Get the engine thoroughly warmed up and then checkif the exhaust is still emitting anything (anyvapour shouldhave evaporated by this time - unlesswater is leaking into the exhaust system e.g. faulty head gasket, etc.).

 

*Next Morning Update*

Well the white smoke is gone, nothing, nada, I cant get the car to even reproduce 1 puff of white smoke? the car was shipped from KY to AZ and the driver told me he got caught in rain a few times, also the car was in many positions, and moving around on the trailer to load and unload other cars. do you guy think any of those things (shipping wise) could havee caused the smoke? like I said before the car drives like a dream smooth as can be and the temp needle once the car warms up stays right in the middle of the gauge, which seems to me normal.

I dont know, I would still apprecate anybodys input.

Again thank you

~J

 

wow thanks guys, im so happy now!I love this car!

 

White smoke is water vapor.

If your car is sitting for a while (especially in a humid and cool place like a garage), water develops in the exhaust and you'll get white smoke.

It shouldn't be a big deal.

 

when i got my wagon, i noticed that it too would let out extra whitish smoke when it idles. More than on other cars. but i think its something normal. My wagon drives great.

 

I would not worry about white smoke when the car first starts. Some do it more than others.

 

yeah it sat on a truck for week and a half and it got rained on more then once....

 

FYI:

Exhaust Smoke Colour Chart:

White: Normal water vapour or coolant seeping into the combustion chamber, which is noticed by coolant odor & drop in coolant level.

Blue: Burning engine oil; oil passing through worn piston rings/valve guidesor seals.

Black/Dark Grey: Air/Fuel mixture too rich or fuel/ignition control problem.

Yellow:Forget it(just kidding[8D])

Cheers,


JPN