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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Golf mk4 TDI => Topic started by: Luke1981 on 03 December 2012, 12:38

Title: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: Luke1981 on 03 December 2012, 12:38
As per the title, I have noticed that I am getting a bit of white smoke when I start the car. I have only noticed it during the cold snap. It clears virtually straight away. Is it normal?

Cheers

Luke
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: sveed1.8T on 03 December 2012, 13:03
Mine does this every so often, most noticeably when it is cold. Like yours, it clears and then its happy :undecided:
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: Luke1981 on 03 December 2012, 13:18
Cheers buddy
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: scarr89 on 03 December 2012, 18:22
Condensation in the exhaust  :wink:
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 03 December 2012, 19:03
Quote from: scarr89 on 03 December 2012, 18:22
Condensation in the exhaust  :wink:

Unburnt fuel :wink:
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: scarr89 on 03 December 2012, 19:08
Quote from: Agreeable Slick on 03 December 2012, 19:03
Quote from: scarr89 on 03 December 2012, 18:22
Condensation in the exhaust  :wink:

Unburnt fuel :wink:

I'm not going to argue with you, only raise a discussion, as your post count is higher  :lipsrsealed:

Would un burnt fuel not be black/grey? Where as water/condensation would just boil, hence white 'smoke'.

I feel I could be correct here also  :lipsrsealed:
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 03 December 2012, 19:14
On a diesel unburnt fuel is usually white smoke, overfuelling burnt fuel = black smoke.

I've emphasised the two key words, don't worry I thought the same when I was first starting at Delphi.
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: scarr89 on 03 December 2012, 19:25
Quote from: Agreeable Slick on 03 December 2012, 19:14
On a diesel unburnt fuel is usually white smoke, overfuelling burnt fuel = black smoke.

I've emphasised the two key words, don't worry I thought the same when I was first starting at Delphi.

You are correct there.

I am close to succumbing to a higher post count. Could it not still have something to do with condensation. The OP mentions it only happens during a cold snap, so would condensation make more sense in this case?  :huh:
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: Agreeable Slick on 03 December 2012, 19:31
Cold snaps make it more pronounced as the engine block will be that much colder as will the exhaust system, hence glow plugs stay on a tad longer, to help the fuel burn but when starting from stone cold it isn't possible to get a complete burn before the cylinder temp starts to pick up. Mine smokes like a twit at key on then clears (stinks too).

Condensation doesn't really have much to do with it, it takes 10 mins + for an exhaust to get to the temperature to boil water condensate off anyway which is why on cold mornings there will generally be wispy smoke coming out the exhaust for a while before it clears off.
Title: Re: White smoke when car starts!
Post by: Luke1981 on 03 December 2012, 20:08
Cheers gents for the comments, at least I know its normal.  :smiley: