white smoke and sweet smell from exhaust????

[Oz172cup]

Turned car on (172 cup Ph2) and got white smoke coming from exhaust and it smells quite sweet. What could this be???

 

[Badgerman85]

sounds like it could be burning coolant, possible head gasket failure

 

[Oz172cup]

If it is i'll go f***ing mental

 

[Badgerman85]

is it actually coming out of the tailpipe? If so would definitely suggest head gasket or possibly a hairline crack in the head / block

 

[Oz172cup]

How much do you reckon that might cost? Cheers for reply Badger

 

[Oz172cup]

Yea out of exhaust (white smoke and sweet smell) not loosing coolant, engines not over heating and my temp gauge needle is bang on centre

 

[1991renaultsport]

Yea out of exhaust (white smoke and sweet smell) not loosing coolant, engines not over heating and my temp gauge needle is bang on centre

Does the white smoke go away after 10-15 minutes?

 

[Oz172cup]

Not sure mate only had it on for about 3 minutes, got to nip out so will find out and let you know by about 1pm

 

[Badgerman85]

no idea on price, depends if it needs a new waterpump / head skimming / replacement belts, if its coming out of the exhaust it definitely sounds like coolant is getting into the combustion chamber or exhaust somehow, maybe the gasket is seeping slightly or like i said there could be a hairline crack somewhere, best getting a specialist to check it out before throwing any money at it!

 

[MrDave]

Someone spilt a can of relentless nearby and your car was cold.

 

[1991renaultsport]

Think your worrying over nothing

 

[BLT]

Mine had white smoke this morning but that was because it was cold. Was fine once it was warmed up and had been driving for a few mins

 

[1991renaultsport]

Mine had white smoke this morning but that was because it was cold. Was fine once it was warmed up and had been driving for a few mins

Do you get quiet alot of white smoke when it's cold but then goes once warm?

 

[The Fatty]

Someone spilt a can of relentless nearby and your car was cold.

Think your worrying over nothing

+1, its probably just water in the exhaust from condensation. see if its goes away when warm, if it does, then that's what it is. Mine always has steam coming out the exhaust on a cold startup.

 

[Badgerman85]

if it was just water in the exhaust it wouldnt smell sweet though, the sweet smell comes from the burning of the ethylene-glycol in the coolant

 

[1991renaultsport]

if it was just water in the exhaust it wouldnt smell sweet though, the sweet smell comes from the burning of the ethylene-glycol in the coolant

How can you tell what the sweet smell is, surely it's gonna smell abit if you put your nose to the exhaust pipe

 

[BLT]

Do you get quiet alot of white smoke when it's cold but then goes once warm?

Yeah not a huge amount but you can see it and it goes once the exhaust system is warmed up. I'm not loosing any coolant etc either so I know it isn't a HG issue on my car

The sweet smell however is odd. Never get that

 

[The Fatty]

or another sweet smelling substance that's nearby... it needs to be run and checked to see if the coolant drop and if the white smoke goes away. If its not loosing coolant then I don't see how it could be leaking into the chambers.

 

[1991renaultsport]

or another sweet smelling substance that's nearby... it needs to be run and checked to see if the coolant drop and if the white smoke goes away. If its not loosing coolant then I don't see how it could be leaking into the chambers.

+1 to that mate

 

[DrR]

So you switched a cold car on, and it's making white smoke for first few minutes of driving?

 

[1991renaultsport]

Yeah not a huge amount but you can see it and it goes once the exhaust system is warmed up. I'm not loosing any coolant etc either so I know it isn't a HG issue on my car

The sweet smell however is odd. Never get that

Mine white smokes quiet alot when cold but only when I put my foot down a bit, I'm not losing any coolant or anything so is that normal?

 

[DrR]

Every car I've ever seen/driven gives out white smoke when cold.

 

[Oz172cup]

Ok so just taken car out for a drive and no more white smoke. It didnt look like cold start white smoke, it looked really thick and exhaust was making a ''puf-puf'' noise and it smelt like syrup. Coolant isn't moving, temp needle is sitting in the middle and exhaust smells like petrol so a panic over nothing.

But thanks to everyone who commented (would rather check with you lot who are far more experienced with these cars than leave it and think its ok)