Intermitant white smoke from exhaust

DEEJ110 · Post by **DEEJ110** » 28 Apr 2009, 03:00

I have a Volvo S80 T6. Runs well but has recently started emitting white smoke from exhaust intermitantly. On morning start up its OK - no smoke. Maybe after 20mins driving smoke will appear when I become stationary. Some days its ok with with no smoke. Water levels OK. Can you help?

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 28 Apr 2009, 10:54

Normally white smoke indicates water in the exhaust, which usually means a blown head gasket. If you take off the coolant tank cover and run the engine, do you see bubbles coming up through the coolant? If not, your head gasket is probably OK.

Are you sure it's not light blue smoke? This would indicate oil being burned. These cars have a nasty tendency to clog up the oil separator, resulting in leaks and overpressure in the crankcase. Has the oil separator been cleaned or replaced lately? If not, I'd try a dose of www.auto-rx.com in it to clean out the sludge. Hopefully this will take care of it since taking the oil separator off to clean/replace is a real PITA. After the Auto-Rx treatment, switch to a full-synthetic oil like Mobil 1 or Castrol Edge to further clean the engine and prevent future sludge buildup.

How many miles are on your car?

DEEJ110 · Post by **DEEJ110** » 28 Apr 2009, 11:45

Thanks VEGAS. Yes smoke is white but with a blue hue to it. I checked the water and have no bubbles - hoses do not swell up on revs etc. No I havent cleaned the oil separator - where would I find it. Will get some RX treatment as you suggest and see if that works. Car has done 170000 miles but apart from this prob runs very well.
Thanks for your interest and help.
Deej

Post by **vegasjetskier** » 28 Apr 2009, 18:32

DEEJ110 wrote:Thanks VEGAS. Yes smoke is white but with a blue hue to it. I checked the water and have no bubbles - hoses do not swell up on revs etc. No I havent cleaned the oil separator - where would I find it. Will get some RX treatment as you suggest and see if that works. Car has done 170000 miles but apart from this prob runs very well.
Thanks for your interest and help.
Deej

OK, you're probably burning oil then. The separator is up under the intake manifold. You have to remove the manifold to get to it, which is why it is a PITA. I'd try the Auto-Rx and see if that helps. My separator was clogged after only 66,000 miles, so yours probably is too if it hasn't had any maintenance.