Mk1 Punto 1.2 60S (1997)

Fairly dense white smoke from the exhaust once engine has reached temperature, but...

(1) engine not overheating (no temperature warning light appears),

(2) no loss of water (top and bottom water hoses get hot as normal),

(3) no sludge in oil filler cap or water expansion tube,

(4) no gas indicated in a vapour check (sniff test) by the AA.

Any possibilities if not a blown head gasket?

Water pump?
Timing belt?
Computer?
Me?

It will probably need an engineer's diagnostic check. How much should this cost?

Mark

diagnostics won't show anything. Do a compression test to be sure.
Are you sure there is no coolant loss at all?
even a small amount.

White smoke is water vapours so water is being burnt somewhere. Or is it fully up to temperature?

Cold weather and very damp weather make normal exhaust condensate look more dense that usual.

Keep a close watch on coolant levels, dont let it go below minimum and a compression test should show if there is a head gasket problem.

The coolant level has not been topped up for months and appears to be at the same level (over max anyway).... I thought there could be some sort of block in the expansion tube but the engine is being cooled as normal.

I am very puzzled as the exhaust smoke is clearly white and not grey/blue or black.

I have compared my car's exhaust with those of others and mine is very different.

How much should a compression test cost? Can the AA do a compression test?

Mark

No idea how much they charge but I imagine it would be cheaper to buy a tester and DIY
I always have and not too hard to do.

AA should have the tool to do it though.

As whitesei said it is normal in these weather conditions. Have you taken it for a 5-10 min drive and checked it then? If the engine is hot and still doing it then there is a problem. I know if I leave mine idling for 15-20 min in the morning i still have alot of white smoke coming out untill I've driven for 5 mins

You will get condensation from the exhaust at this time of year. It should eventually burn off.

What sort of journeys are you doing?

Cheers

D

As said above.

Does it look like this -

Most journeys are between 5 and 10 miles, plenty of time for the engine to warm up.

The exhaust is similar in colour (white) and density to that in the video clip but not noisy at all. The engine and engine performance are very smooth.

Yes, a compression test will be the next step.

Mark

Ignore the noise, as that's just because its an impreza so hopefully your punto doesn't sound anything like that.

In the extreme cold we have been having lately, I wouldn't be surprised if there is still condensation coming out of the exhaust after just 5 to 10 miles.

However keep us updated on how you get on.

Alan

5 to 10 minutes is not long enough to get all the condensation out the exhaust.

Put very simply.

If you have white smoke, its water.

If you are not losing any water it must be condensation.

End of.

Cheers

D

Hi i have a fiat multipla 2000 reg 1600cc petrol .i took it off the road a few months ago just been starting it up to keep the battery charged just receently i have noticed white smoke when starting up water and smoke from the exhaust left it running for ten to fifteen minutes for the past three or four days reved it up and still getting the smoke or does any one have any ideas could it be the bad rain or snow that we have experienced in the past few months. we believe it is condensation it sounds good no water loss plenty of power starts first time of the key thanks.

Same story if the head gasket or the piston seals are suspect do a compression test.

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