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White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Vasim
Novice
Nov 30, 2011, 6:42 AM
Post #1 of 9
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White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Hi, I recently bought a vauxhall corsa 1.3CDTi 54 number plate 70000miles. When I start the car from cold first thing in the morning after about 2-3 minutes it continuously starts emitting white smoke from the exhaust. The engine management light was also coming on. The car runs fine and there isn't any loss of power. I took it to the trader as it was still under warranty. They replaced the EGR valve and the engine emission light went away but car still emit white smoke when you start it from cold. The car recently had service and the glow plugs have been changed. The trader also put a new turbo but problem is still there. Any idea what is wrong with it??
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2011, 8:43 AM
Post #2 of 9
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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White exhaust about always means water or antifreeze getting into combustion and burning be it a head gasket or something isolating coolant/antifreeze from burning. Check the level of all fluids at once!
I'm NOT a diesel tech but it's still burning fuel out a cold exhaust thing and depending on how cool/cold for a while could be normal condensation as burning fossil fuels makes moisture and cold pipes condense it, then steam seen which subsides to a minimum. I live where temps range wildly say expect -10F but don't see the white much when above freezing.
Rule of thumb with exhaust color:
White = moisture or antifreeze mix.
Blue = Oil
Black = unburned fuel
_______________________________
Definately make sure you tend to this as it could be a real problem and costly so let the warranty work for you without delay,
T
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 30, 2011, 10:39 AM
Post #3 of 9
(10943 views)
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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How cold is it? Cold diesels on cold winter days will emit some white smoke after a cold start because some of the diesel isn't being burnt in the combustion chambers. If you have a diesel burning coolant, you will likely see white smoke and smell antifreeze even if it isn't cold.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Vasim
Novice
Dec 1, 2011, 3:18 AM
Post #4 of 9
(10919 views)
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Thanks for the reply!
It is about 5degC when I start in the morning. Problem is that it doesn't smoke (white) straight away after startup. You have to wait for say 2-5 minutes.
Car is with dealer for the last three weeks. They are looking at everything one by one. As I mentioned before tehy have already changed the turbo and the egr valve. All glow plugs were changed on the last service on in sept.
Do you have any other suggestions?
Regards
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Vasim
Novice
Dec 1, 2011, 3:32 AM
Post #5 of 9
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Hi Tom,
Thanks for the quick reply. Really appreciate your response.
It is about 5degC when I start in the morning. Problem is that it doesn't smoke (white) straight away after startup. You have to wait for say 2-5 minutes. If there was a constant leak from the coolant/air, it would smoke all the time. It doesn't smoke after driving for a while and then after that if the car is stationary. It only smokes early in the morning after 2-5 min of starting when the car is stationary.
Car is with dealer for the last three weeks. They are looking at everything one by one. As I mentioned before tehy have already changed the turbo and the egr valve. All glow plugs were changed on the last service on in sept.
I will ask them to check the gasket and any leaks from the coolant/air. Good thing is that they have been very cooperative and did not hesitate in changing the turbo and the egr valve. They are already taking a big hit for the repair, I hope it is not that head gasket otherwise it would be quite expensive for them to change this.
Do you have any other suggestions?
Regards,
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 1, 2011, 5:11 AM
Post #6 of 9
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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OK - Dealer seems to be playing fair with you except IMO keeping it for three weeks is too long?
5C is about 40F (stupid American doesn't speak Celsius) which is about enough - many factors involved. It's about that temp here now and I don't notice much yet but don't get out to look either and definitely not cold enough to notice from inside vehicles yet but will.
DS mentioned the odor which would be present and a give away. A keen sense of smell to know normal odor vs one with antifreeze in it. Wouldn't take much to make white smoke. If a cloud you can't see thru that's too much IMO.
Just some notes on this: Take a household mirror and breath on it. If it was warm and dry it may not fog it up easily but will as it gets cooler. Fossil fuels make (old schooling understanding) exactly the same amount of water {H2O} as fuel burned so there's the source of moisture.
Why it takes some time: Exhaust is cold at first so it condenses that vapor back to liquid water inside and when warming will be visible under the right conditions, dew point, actual temp and relative humidity same as the mirror thing.
OK - You've got me caught on two fronts in that I'm not a diesel tech nor turbo tech which may use engine coolant to cool parts so they don't get too hot underhood. Not real popular for diesel here but they are around and not as easy to start when cold (VERY COLD) out.
At any rate worth noting, checking coolant level for loss but mentioning what you notice to techs NOT suggesting what only might be a problem IMO but what you've noticed and has been done to this vehicle so far.
Hope it's just normal,
T
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Dec 1, 2011, 8:02 AM)
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Vasim
Novice
Dec 1, 2011, 7:55 AM
Post #7 of 9
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Thanks Tom,
I will let the garage know of your opinion. I will post whatever the outcome will be.
Regards,
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Dec 1, 2011, 8:08 AM
Post #8 of 9
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Made a mistake in my last post and changed it. Diesel is NOT as easy to start cold and my post came out the opposite. My initial comment said much easier to start - no! If you copied that I was wrong on that point. Moisture stuff is fine.
Good luck with what if anything is found wrong. This like many issues at the site would be easier if witnessing it,
T
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Vasim
Novice
Jan 26, 2012, 9:17 AM
Post #9 of 9
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Re: White smoke on cold start corsa diesel
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Hi,
I have finally managed to solve the problem.
Let me expalin my problem from the beginning.
My car used to smoke a lot on cold start-up after few minute only when it is standing still. The exhaust engine light came on my car. It was due to a blocked EGR value which was changed. After this there was a hint of blue smoke which used to come from exhaust. My garage changed the Turbo and cleaned the inlet valve. the problem still persisted. Then they had to open the engine, they changed the head gasket and they believe that it was one of slip rings which lieaked oil into the burner which they changed.
This must have cost my motor trader a lot but since the car was under warranty they did everything for me. they have been really nice.
I got new turbo, new head gasket and egr valve on my car now. I really have to thank my Motor trader for this becuase I believe other motor traders wouldn't have done this easily especially if the car is second hand buy and I would have had to fight for this.
I would really recommend them if anyone wants to get a car from them. they are based in Bart Green, Birmingham. Barry Vigars Ltd is the name of thier company.
I hope this post helps rest of the poeple on this forum. thnaks to the guys who have replied to my post earlier.
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