slight white smoke on start up

[HKS200]

Hi all,

Just wondering what could be the cause for slight white smoke on start up for a prefacelift gen IV 3.0R. would that mean the car requires upper engine cleaner or could it be head gasket? The smoke isn't thick. May do upper engine cleaner anyway as it's due.

[BillyCorgi]

What "type" of white smoke and when?

Foggy type of white smoke is generally condensate from the tail pipe.
It normally occurs in very humid conditions (like Sydney is experiencing today) where the water in the cool wet exhaust is not able to dissolve into the surrounding air and creates a white cloud? Just like those white fluffy thing floating in the sky.

A smelly oily smell white smoke is more serious?

Put you hand in front of the outlet of the tail pipe.
If your hand surface comes away wet, then it is condensate.
If you hand comes away greasy and smells oil foul, then you have an oil issue.

[HKS200]

What "type" of white smoke and when?

Foggy type of white smoke is generally condensate from the tail pipe.
It normally occurs in very humid conditions (like Sydney is experiencing today) where the water in the cool wet exhaust is not able to dissolve into the surrounding air and creates a white cloud? Just like those white fluffy thing floating in the sky.

A smelly oily smell white smoke is more serious?

Put you hand in front of the outlet of the tail pipe.
If your hand surface comes away wet, then it is condensate.
If you hand comes away greasy and smells oil foul, then you have an oil issue.

oh right, will check it out. It's more a foggy type of white smoke. Thanks for the tip!

[Tradewind]

Do you check the engine oil, if it is down somewhat you "may" find that as a clue

Not really sure what else, unless you are mistaking the "oil smoke" for the moist vapour that is often emitted by all cars at start up on mornings of 18c or less.

[tom_kauf]

If you haven't already found the source of the smoke, did you get an oil change done just before this started?

Because my car blew quite a bit of smoke on cold starts (surprisingly white, not blue) 2x within a few years after mechanics overfilled the oil both times - different mechanics though. Even a little bit over full caused that, and is a known issue. I drained the excess and smoke was gone (after it burned off a few trips later).

EDIT: I just saw this is in the 3.0/3.6 section, whereas mine is a 2.5T - but still worth checking....