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S60 I need help troubleshooting a smoking exhaust

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

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S60 Blues
Posts: 23
Joined: 11 April 2009
Year and Model: S60 2001
Location: Pacifica,ca

S60 I need help troubleshooting a smoking exhaust

Post by S60 Blues »

My wife drives a 2001 S60, about 60,000 miles, that started pumping smoke out of the exhaust yesterday. So today was my fist chance to look it over. I first checked the fluids, oil was a bit low and the coolant seemed to be ok. Hooked up my code reader and no codes were showing and no warnings on the display. I started it, ran it for a couple of minutes and it didn't smoke. Ten minutes later I started it again and it billowed smoke as I hit the throttle and also smoked at idle.
I having trouble distinguishing the color and smell. The smoke is a light grey more white really, and it appears a little thicker than steam. It didn't smell like oil but I couldn't really say it smelled like coolant although it was a bit sweet.
So I suspect a head gasket even though it has never overheated.
I need help pinpointing the problem. What else should I be looking at???? thanks in advance.

binglax09
Posts: 165
Joined: 31 October 2008
Year and Model:
Location:

Post by binglax09 »

Lot's of condensation in the exhaust is my bet. It's rare to have a head gasket fail on these engines.
Summer: 2002 Triumph TT600
Fair Weather: 2001 S60 T5M
Winter: 2000 S70 AWD
Restoration: 1983 Mercedes 300CDT

S60 Blues
Posts: 23
Joined: 11 April 2009
Year and Model: S60 2001
Location: Pacifica,ca

Post by S60 Blues »

Condensation in the exhaust? Sounds a lot cheeper than a blown head gasket. What would lead to the condensation? I assume a vehicle that was not thoroughly warm would exhibit some symptoms. We have a mild climate, it was in the 50's yesterday and I certainly didn't run it long enough to get it throughly warm.
FYI, it was pumping out a cloud of vapor when the motor was reved.

I looked through some forms and will perform the following checks today:
Drain off some oil in the pan to look for water
Pull the plugs and inspect, also attempt to look for clean pistons.
Perform a coolant pressure test providing I can rent or make a tester.

George
Posts: 21
Joined: 5 December 2009
Year and Model: V70 2002
Location: N.New Jersey

Post by George »

Hello S60 Blues, 8 months ago you posted a smoke or steam problem with your wife's car. What was the outcome? My V70 is doing the same thing. Thanks, George

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