I have an 01 that smokes occasionally at idle. I have read that the lines can get clogged and cause the smoke, and I have read that I should check the lines from the Vent Box, but am having trouble figuring out what that is. Is it the same as the oil separator?

If so, is it possible to check the lines without pulling the intake manifold?

Any other ideas what would cause smoke at idle?

Incidentally, I inspected the timing belt today for the first time (the car's got 100k-ish miles on it, but we bought it 6 mos ago), and it was terrifying. Then I came on here and read all the warnings about changing the timing belt early. I really dodged a bullet on that one. It is substantially worse that the ones depicted in the Timing Belt sticked thread. So, I've got a project for this weekend...

 

Sorry but best bet is to remove the intake and vent box and inspect.(Oil seperator)

 

Thanks a bunch, I really appreciate you sharing your expertise with us.

So the vent box is the same thing as the oil separator?

 

Yes it is located basically behind the Alt. and A/C compressor.

 

Got it. Thanks again!

 

So, I'm working on this problem again today. I've now cleaned the lines back to the PCV heater and have found no significant blockage except for at the bottom of the vent box, which I cleaned when I changed it.

I have a couple of questions:

First, am I missing any lines? As far as I can tell the only PCV line coming forward from the turbo is the roughly 3/4" diameter line that goes from the rubber inlet to the metal pipe that connects to the vent box.

Second, could a faulty PCV heater be the problem?

Thanks again for all the help
travis

 

I think you got all the lines. I don't think the heater can cause the problem.

 

Ok, I guess we'll see what happens. I drove it today after putting it back together and no smoke so far, but it seems like it took a couple of days last time.

Tech, thanks a bunch for the help.

 

No problem.

 

Ok, so I'm still trying to figure this one out. One of the symptoms that my wife figured out (she drives it everyday) is that it only smokes when it isn't up to running temp. I.E. when the thermostat opens it stops smoking. If it has been driven but cools back down, it is much less likely to smoke (I haven't tested this but I don't think it'll smoke til it cools down completely).

I know it sorta sounds like water in the exhaust pipe or something, but it smokes like crazy when you are at idle and the engine is cool, way more than just burning off excess condensate. The exhaust also smells much stronger than it should; I don't know how to describe the smell. It doesn't smell like oil, and doesn't smell or look like it's burning too much gas.

The only current code is the Cam Sensor, which I am trying to fix with Marvel Mystery Oil in the engine oil. However, the engine does miss pretty bad right when I start it until I give it a bit of gas. I figured the stuttering was due to the cam sensor.

Is there a PCV heater? I seem to remember a heater or something like one at the base of the PCV hose where it connects to the Fresh Air Hose at the Turbo.

My other question - I'm beginning to think it might be a head gasket problem. We have never overheated the car, but we've only had it a year or so. But it seems to me like it might be leaking water into the cylinder until it warms up and the metal expands. Do you think it could be a head gasket leak?

 

blue smoke = oil
white smoke = antifreeze/water