[s-cars] White/Grey Smoke on Startup

[Sean Douglas]

Brian:

My guess is condensation building up in the exhaust system. You mention
you only drive your car 1-2 days a week, is it short trips or long? On
short trips, the exhaust doesn't heat up enough and the water from the
air condenses on the inside of the muffler. Upon start-up, you will
notice water spitting out the muffler tips.

Sean

> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com 
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] On Behalf Of Brian Powell
> Sent: Sunday, February 13, 2005 9:15 AM
> To: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: [s-cars] White/Grey Smoke on Startup
> 
> 
> Greetings, I have noticed over the past couple of months that 
> on startup (I drive my S6 1-2 times a week, so, it sits for 
> several days at a time) when I start up the car, there is a 
> whitish/grayish smoke. You can only see it when behind the 
> car (it isn't visible from the
> mirrors) as it dissipates quickly. It doesn't smell sweet at 
> all (like coolant burning). If I drive around the block after 
> starting it, and then come back, there will be a bit of water 
> pooled at the exhaust tips and very little smoke remains.
> 
> Seems like a lot of water to be burning off. Possibly due to 
> winter, more condensation building when sitting around? 
> Coolant level is absolutely stable and clean without any 
> contamination. My oil level is rock steady. Doesn't appear to 
> be leaking head gasket (also, it disappears after about 30-40 
> seconds. This is in Colorado where it is pretty dry, too.
> 
> Also, on the garage floor after the tailpipe looks like a 
> spray pattern on the floor.
> 
> Anything to be concerned about, or just the water burning 
> off? The car starts and idles without any trouble, idles smoothly.
> 
> -- 
> Cheers,
> Brian
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