Went for about a 15 mile drive today, 10 mile of motorway sitting around 70mph and the rest 40/30mph.

Long story short a road was closed so I done a u-turn and accelerated quite hard in first and second and pulled over to check the map with the engine still running. I noticed clouds of white/grey smoke coming out the back do the car... I had my window down and it smelt like burning oil but was definitely more white smoke. Doesn't seem like head gasket tho...

What could it be then?

I drove away and the smokes all cleard but abit worried about what it could be, I've accelerated through the gears since to check if it comes back and it's fine.

I've had this the past two times I've been on track, last night and about 3 weeks ago. Fine when it was getting the hammer just black smoke but when I slowed down coming in the pits it was white smoke in 1st and second, back to normal now I'm driving on the road. Suspect the seals are starting to fail

Different car I know but similar engine being a 1.9 PD.

I sometimes get white looking smoke in cases where I've been driving steady on the motorway and then stuck in stop start traffic. If I then floor it some white-looking smoke comes out the back for a couple of seconds then it's gone.

I'm not worried as its only happened twice and under the same conditions. Plus I only have 36,000 miles on mine so doubt its an issue.

I just put it down to crap build up or oil build up.

Phil

Different car I know but similar engine being a 1.9 PD.

I sometimes get white looking smoke in cases where I've been driving steady on the motorway and then stuck in stop start traffic. If I then floor it some white-looking smoke comes out the back for a couple of seconds then it's gone.

I'm not worried as its only happened twice and under the same conditions. Plus I only have 36,000 miles on mine so doubt its an issue.

I just put it down to crap build up or oil build up.

Phil

I was thinking that myself going through the possibilities.... But, About 2,000k miles ago I had all the intake side removed and cleaned when replacing the turbo. The intake manifold, egr valve, intercooler and all boost pipes were cleaned untill spotless! Took two days for the manifold in a parts washer!

Possibilities for me are turbo failing or injector on it's way out.

Suspect the seals are starting to fail

What seal exactly do you thinks starting to fail?

I'm a little puzzled with the smoke, if I was behind my own car watching I would of thought "crikey! Get that head gasket looked at!" But looked similar to when I've had failed /siezed turbos.

I honestly couldn't tell you mate I have no clue lol, just going by what a few people have said to me. Certainly isn't head gasket thow as it's never used any water or overheated at any point. I have noticed a 'louder' whistle/siren noise ok cold start thow

I think I'm just going to change the head gasket anyway...

I'm changing the timing belt kit and water pump as well as the turbo for my hybrid so both manifolds will be removed, for what it takes to remove the head gasket at the same time I might aswell for what it costs!

A head gasket set with new valve stem oil seals is about £80 so good piece of mind. At least I get to ground the valves in to help up compression while I'm in there!