Today I started my car that hasn't been started in a while. When I started it, smoke came out of the exhaust.. not thick or anything so its not a coolant. Its light and only can see from a distance... I let the car idle for about 10 minutes and the condensation was still there. I gave it a slight rev and it still continued. Do I let it idle for a longer period of time before it goes away?

 

Do you have an aftermarket exhaust? What has the weather been like?

 

Well i'm from Australia so its summer here. Yes I do have an aftermarket exhaust.

 

So what are u asking...How to prevent condensation from forming in the exhaust?

 

Condensation coming from the exaust pipe is a good thing, air and fuel is at it's optimum. While driving on the highway, have you noticed water coming from the tailpipe of vehicles on the road? It's not a bad thing.

 

Yeah I guess lol... like I don't mind it, but how long does it take to stop it like warming it up? You know what I mean? It was condensating for about 10 minutes... i want to know if it will go away if I let it idle longer etc..

 

I'm not saying its a bad thing, but when I do drive, I don't want smoke everywhere, do you get me?

 

Smoke and condensation are two different things. You probably need to take the car out and beat on it a little seeing you don't drive it often. Go for a nice hard run, check it and report back.

 

Its not smoke lol. Sorry.

 

Be sure that it's not smoke, if it's smoke, you may have issues. When you first started it after it had sat for a while, did it start hard? Like it didn't want to turn over right away?

 

It always turns over fine. Never had an issue with starting it.

 

Are you sure it's not smoke? How cold is it out side? Does it smell like coolent? And the real question is do you have gurgeling coming from your cooling system after shut down with a frequent top off of the coolent overflow tank?

 

I'm questioning it now. It could be smoke . Its summer so its not cold. What exactly does coolent sell like? I don't think i'm getting gurgeling from the cooling system after shut down. Its going in for a massive services next week, so all the fluids etc.. are getting change. If it is smoke, what would the problem be?

 

White = steam....coolant or condensation
Black = too much fuel, running rich
Blue = burning oil

Coolant in the exhaust smells slightly sweet. If it drips on your hands it will be somewhat sticky. Check you coolant levels just to be sure. If it's condensation and the weather is warm, it should disappear once the car is up to operating temps.

 

I would say oily

 

Give it the old "Champagne test", and rule out a blown seal.

 

Has the car ever been overheated/run hot?

also, when was the last plug/wire change? it could just be fuel.

 

It does smell like fuel. Its all getting changed next week because the plugs and everything haven't been changed in a while. In relation to the colour of the smoke... its more white than anything but its not very noticeable. Its not think, it very light so its not a seal or anything.

 

It probably smells a little like fuel if it's stock because the stock ecu runs pretty rich when cold, and the cats aren't hot enough to burn off the extra fuel. Although if you have an injector giving you trouble that can also lead to a lot of richness.

Condensation is pretty meaningless. If you let it idle it will take a while to clear out. I just start driving (gently, like always) and the condensation is usually gone within a couple miles.

Dave