[...SCOOBY-NEWBIE...]

One day this winter I noticed an excessive amount of smoke comming from my exhaust while sitting at a stop light. It was about 10 degrees that day and I wasnt sure if this was just my imagination? I pulled away when the light turned green and the smoke dissapeared.

About a couple of weeks later it happened again. Another stop light, and this time the temp was about 30. A couple of weeks after that it happened again and then again. Now it happens just about everytime I drive far enough for the engine to warm up. (It still only happens during idle). It gets so bad at times that I have to roll the windows back up because smoke starts pouring in the car.

I am also starting to burn oil bad. I changed the oil recently and only 1,500 miles later I was astonished to see that I was practically dry? I had to add two quarts just to get back to the norm.

The exhaust smoke doesnt really smell like gas or coolant. Its not black or blue... Just white. My gut tells me this is a sign of bad things to come. I also havnt really noticed any loss of power.

2004 STI Engine mod list...

- HKS Cat Back
- Catless DP
- Koyo Radiator
- Walbro fuel pump
- Snorkel delete
- Cobb acessport
- Pro tune
- 18.5 psi on 93 oct

57,500 miles

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[butcherboy78]

unfortunately it sounds like a crack ringland. same symptoms i had, no CEL or major loss of power or stumbling just the ocasional pulling of timing. Get a compression test and prepare for a rebuild. Hope im wrong.

 

[HAHAV8]

defintiely sounds like a crack ringland or piston. or it could be a head gasket.

 

[...SCOOBY-NEWBIE...]

I read a little about the cracked ringland? How much money does the rebuild set you back?

 

[deftones444]

Im kinda having the same issue. I notice a little bit of white smoke in my exhaust as i come to a stop. As soon as i start driving it goes away. You can check to see if you have a cracked ringland by taking off your oil filler cap while the engine is running and warmed up. If you see smoke coming out you definately have a cracked ringland. Im not sure how much a rebuild would cost but i have seen brand new short blocks assembled with forged pistons in the $2500 range.

Also another thing you might wanna check is your PCV valve.

 

[05_GD7]

turbo seal?

 

[...SCOOBY-NEWBIE...]

turbo seal?

Got anything to back that up?

 

[Wes]

get a compression and leakdown test done. That will tell you for sure if its your motor or not. If the numbers are good, then it might be the turbo seal. Good luck!

 

[05_GD7]

Got anything to back that up?

yeah, about a zillion other posts about lots of white smoke at startup and idle that led to a blown turbo seal.

 

[HAHAV8]

yeah, about a zillion other posts about lots of white smoke at startup and idle that led to a blown turbo seal.

true, but Id go with the statement to as get a compression test.

 

[...SCOOBY-NEWBIE...]

yeah, about a zillion other posts about lots of white smoke at startup and idle that led to a blown turbo seal.

I searched and could only find 2 threads that speculated "blown turbo seal" but never confirmed it.

Would you be so kind to show me the threads you are referring to?

 

[...SCOOBY-NEWBIE...]

I called the dealer and they charge $92 for a compression test. Should I bring it in or spend $30 on a tester for myself and then waste my afternnon.

 

[caseyc]

Do it yourself if you are confident with your work!! good luck i'd hate to see another sube bite the dust!!!

 

[combatp21]

I would say get the compression tester and do it yourself. Down the road, you might thank yourself for having one instead of paying someone else.

**Be sure to tighten the hose that insert into the cylinder** Or else you will have to use a socket to remove it** From my previously experience.

 

[A1ainSTI]

One day this winter I noticed an excessive amount of smoke comming from my exhaust.

was the engine warm? cold? halfway?

was the smoke like vapor; did it dissapear into thin air rapidly or did it stack up?

 

[dsupermansti]

How many miles do you guys have that are experiencing this?

 

[deftones444]

How many miles do you guys have that are experiencing this?

i have about 35k miles.

 

[...SCOOBY-NEWBIE...]

was the engine warm? cold? halfway?

was the smoke like vapor; did it dissapear into thin air rapidly or did it stack up?

Engine warm always. Never cold or halfway. Deff "white smoke" not vapor. (like a smoke machine) It didnt disapear it surround my car the longer I sat. If I pulled away it stopped.

 

[A1ainSTI]

Engine warm always. Never cold or halfway. Deff "white smoke" not vapor. (like a smoke machine) It didnt disapear it surround my car the longer I sat. If I pulled away it stopped.

I get alot of "vapor"... it worries me less now.
Go for the compression test. sorry dude.

a 100$ could save you lots down the line

 

[icudruln]

Damn dude, sucks to here. Definitely buy the tester yourself. Like someone else said, you (or a friend) will likely thank yourself for it later.

Yesterday, I just washed my car, and I left it running while I hand dried it. I noticed a hazy smoke from the exhaust, but I'm pretty sure its the water vapor. It wasn't smokey like a chimney or anything; just really light, and dissappeared after rising about 5" off the exhaust. Considering the circumstances, that's likely it right? I've never seen it before, but I've been keeping an eye out for it. Car is just Stage 2 w/Copp AP map