2003 Subaru Impreza White Smoke After Idle

SUBARU
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66STANG21
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  • 1 POST
Hello,
I have a 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX with a turbo back exhaust and an up-pipe. It only has about 40K miles on it. I recently noticed that after I let the car idle for at least five minutes, a cloud of white smoke will appear from the exhaust when I rev it. After reading some of the forums, I am concerned that it is the head gasket'; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;">head gasket, but it doesn't do it on start up or pretty much at any other time, only after idling for a set amount of time. Sometimes it won't even do it at all. The cloud will onlly last for about five seconds and then it is gone. What do you think that it could be? Any advice is helpful. Thanks. :D
May 5, 2006 at 7:04 PM
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LOSONE
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,616 POSTS
You are leaking coolant into your combustion chamber. Get it checked immediatly to prevent engine damage!! good luck
May 6, 2006 at 2:36 AM
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MMPRINCE4000
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 8,548 POSTS
Your message was kind of garbled, but generally white smoke (coolant) is a head gasket/intake gasket.

Since this is a turbo, it COULD be a seal in turbo allowing coolant into exhaust.
Nov 13, 2010 at 10:48 AM

Suggested Repair

Have the cooling system inspected promptly for coolant entering the combustion chamber or exhaust. Check the head gasket and intake gasket, and on this turbo engine also inspect the turbo coolant seals, to prevent engine damage.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 2003 Subaru Impreza WRX with a turbo-back exhaust and up-pipe reports a brief cloud of white smoke after idling several minutes and then revving. It does not occur at startup or most other times and sometimes does not occur at all. Experts say white smoke usually indicates coolant leaking into the combustion chamber or exhaust and recommend immediate inspection of the head gasket, intake gasket, and possibly a turbo coolant seal.

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