I checked for bubbles with the radiator cap off so my seals are still fine, relatively low mileage on the TII engine. im assuming its the turbo that needs a rebuild?

 

what does the exhaust smell like?
when do you get the white smoke?
Come on man..you gotta be specific.
Even if you see no bubbles in the cooling system,it could be Eating coolant and causing white smoke.Which is a bad coolant seal,and time for a rebuild.
.so.Post up more specifics.It can help immensely with a "daignosis".

 

yeah, my bad. was sort of in a rush.

Well it smells sweet sort of like coolant to me.
and also I have an immense exhaust leak right between the engine and exhaust manifold so id assume id be able to see some escaping there if the engine needs a rebuild. also it happened out of nowhere, one day it doesnt smoke at all then the next day it smokes like a fog machine.

 

In addition to smell, you should be able to tell the difference between "water" vapor (coolant "burning") and smoke (excess fuel-oil burning). Water vapor dissipates much more rapidly than fuel-oil smoke and obviously smells different. If it's "water" vapor, coolant is leaking into the combustion area(s). If it's smoke, suspect internal oil seals in the engine or the turbo.

 

so its also possible its the engine? I assumed it was more of a gradual change if anything

and on the dissipation note, how much faster does water vapor dissipate?

 

it did smell more like vapor though smoke was more white than blue. I also saw a little bit of smoke near the turbo itself

 

bump

 

How many miles are on the car?

Is it eating coolant?

How long has it been doing it?

My money is on the seals.

 

Pressure test the cooling system.
I just read a thread where the Guy rented a tester from Advanced auto.he found his problem.
.just a Thought,There is an Oring that is inbetween the Lower manifold and the Engine Keg.If that goes,it creates a lot of Havock,.Leaks on the Upper part of the keg,that run down to the turbo.Inner Leaks that can go into the engine and look like you have Blown the damn engine.and so on.It's the OLD 5 cent Oring that creates the 2000 dollar Screw up scenario.

 

has about 90k miles.
JUST started doing it. one day its fine, next day I go and start it and its smoking like crazy. doesnt seem like im eating coolant really.

 

bump

 

if your coolant boils over, its the seals. i could be the turbo seals. but def +1 for pressure test.