White smoke coming from the exhaust not overheating

Tiny
SHRIMP2
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
So we were driving it about forty five miles an hour and all the sudden white smoke came out of the exhaust. We pulled over the engine light is blinking we turned it off and I thought it was overheating. I checked the fluids water was fine, no oil in the water or water in the oil no bubbling when the engines running in the reservoir. I had a timing belt replaced six months ago as well as a water pump serpentine belt, so it is not likely the head gasket. The white smoke will disappear and reappear. It does not have much power up hills but seems to go fine on flat. It does not smoke until going up hills and it usually takes larger hills to make it smoke. Upon looking at the exhaust I found oil in the exhaust pipe. It shifts late and downshifts rough. What is it?
Wednesday, January 10th, 2018 AT 6:46 PM

4 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,664 POSTS
Is this car a turbo? If so then it sounds like the unit is going out. The smoke comes from the turbo allowing oil to get into the intake and exhaust system and be burnt.

Here is a guide to help you see how it works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-turbo-chargers-work

Remove the intake or exhaust side of the turbo and check the endplay which will confirm the failure.

Please run this test and get back to us.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, January 12th, 2018 AT 11:38 AM
Tiny
SHRIMP2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Non turbo.
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Saturday, January 13th, 2018 AT 8:08 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,664 POSTS
Then I would need to lean toward a blown head gasket even though it may not have all the signs. Can you please do this test and get back to me?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, January 15th, 2018 AT 10:57 AM
Tiny
SHRIMP2
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Not the head gasket compression is great no water in oil or bubbling in reservoir no overheating
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Friday, January 19th, 2018 AT 3:18 PM

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