Just wondering if anyone has noticed this?

Usually when I pull away in 1st there is a bit of white smoke coming out my exhaust, it's really noticeable when I give it the beans!

Dosent happen in any other gear. Also dosent matter if the engine is hot or cold.

Am I worrying over nothing?

I only get a bit of condensation when it's cold otherwise nothing.

Fairly normal, especially on a cold damp day - condensation as Neil has said.

If it's happening on a hot engine it could be something. Can you get it under high throttle in other gears or just in first? (really just in first; it can happen but be harder to see when road speed is higher)

Thanks for the responses guys.

It only appears to be in first (I've been checking all gear at all speeds ) and there dosent seem to be any.

It does it after start up or after 45 mins of driving, I'll keep an eye on it and see how things progress, plus maybe mention it at its first service.

Nothing to worry about - just mean a new pope has been elected

If you're at all worried take it to the dealer and have it checked for your own peace of mind and see if their diagnostic systems pick anything up.

 

If it costs you a few quid and finds nothing, then just take it on the chin, but if it does show something's amiss then, you could have saved yourself some serious cash & inconvenience.

If you're at all worried take it to the dealer and have it checked for your own peace of mind and see if their diagnostic systems pick anything up.

 

If it costs you a few quid and finds nothing, then just take it on the chin, but if it does show something's amiss then, you could have saved yourself some serious cash & inconvenience.

 

Shouldn't cost anything to do a Diagnostic check or cost the owner serious cash. A MK3 Should be under warranty

It could be because by the time you're in second or third etc, you're going fast enough for the condensation / steam to disperse behind you and you cant see it.

Edited 8 April, 201412 yr by Mikebham

Is it defintely smoke you are seeing & not condensation like you get on a cold, wet morning?

Condensation should only last a few minutes after starting the engine & once the exhaust is hot it should go away.

 

If its white smoke & its clearly visible in 1st gear when the engine is warm (shown on the dashboard indicator) I would take it to the dealer & ask them to take a look.

White smoke is an indication that there is moisture in the exhaust & could indicate (worst case) a head-gasket problem leaking coolant into the cylinders.

As the TDI also a water cooled intercooler it could indiate a leak here too.

Is your engine coolant level still at the max marker?

 

A 5 minutes check at the dealers will give you peace of mind nothing is wrong or if there is a problem catch it before anything more serious happens.

When I was talking to the sales man a few weeks ago he was asking if i'd noticed the car doing its regeneration, which I had and he asked did I notice the white 'puff' of smoke out of the back when it was finished, which I hadn't. He said once the regen was complete the collected particles get 'blown out' as a white puff of smoke.

 

I've still never noticed anything (other than as above about condensation) so I can't confirm or deny but could it be something to do with that or is it all the time? Are you getting a good run to allow a full regeneration?

 

Either way I think I would be popping into the dealers just as peace of mind and to make sure they are aware should something go wrong.

Hmmm. Not you've got me thinking.

When I was driving to Essex and back there were odd times I dropped a gear or two and planted the throttle. Each time there was a puff of white from the exhaust. Got engine and not a cold day.

Can't have been a regen each time.

I noticed this morning that when I kicked down (to pull out on a motorway) I got some condensation out the exhaust.  This was on a hot engine as well.  I think I'll check levels at lunch just to make sure.

If it's water-based (condensation) then it will dissipate pretty quickly.

 

White smoke from oil tends to float around for a while..

 

Consider when you get steam (water vapour) coming from your kettle - it doesn't hang around.  Smoke from the burnt bacon in the frying pan lingers for ages...

 

I might be a bit wrong (and thinking of petrol specifically) but a pint of fuel generates a pint of water.  Add in the length and volume of the exhaust and water vapour can condense inside the exhaust, only coming out when "giving it some beans" after a period of low fuel-usage cruising along.

Edited 10 April, 201412 yr by philhoward

 

I might be a bit wrong (and thinking of petrol specifically) but a pint of fuel generates a pint of water. 

 

That's not possible, unless a the pint of fuel is water....

He could have a steam engine installed. 

I got my figures wrong..

 

You actually get 1.52 litres (approx) of water from burning one litre of petrol (assuming complete combustion).  Not found the figure for diesel, but as it is also a Hydrocarbon fuel, it will probably be in the same order?

Hmmm. Not you've got me thinking.

When I was driving to Essex and back there were odd times I dropped a gear or two and planted the throttle. Each time there was a puff of white from the exhaust. Got engine and not a cold day.

Can't have been a regen each time.

ive had the same on mine with a long run.  Mainly after going through roadworks at 50mph with the CC on when Ive got to the 70mpg bit Ive put my foot down and got a cloud of white smoke out the back each time.

Errr.. You brought a diesel and are now concerned with a puff of white smoke :think:

I think he bought one (as did I), soot I wouldn't mind but I've never noticed white smoke before on the last 4 diesel cars I've owned.