[GTJunior1]

So I just noticed this on my 147. Only bought it last week, 2002. At times there is such an excessive amount of smoke coming from the exhaust! Maybe it's just the weather, but it seems way smokier than any other cars on the road. Then when engines off, smoke still comes out. Does this mean it's not engine-related?

It doesn't seem like black smoke, seems more like heat. It doesn't smell either, it's just really smoky! My NCT (MOT) is coming up in a few weeks, don't want to fail on emissions. Any thoughts?

 

[Alfa-Red]

cold weather + hot exhaust = steam

 

[GTJunior1]

yeah that's the logical theory. It just seemed to be waaaaay more smokier than anything else on the road, hence my concern

 

[alid1]

So I just noticed this on my 147. Only bought it last week, 2002. At times there is such an excessive amount of smoke coming from the exhaust! Maybe it's just the weather, but it seems way smokier than any other cars on the road. Then when engines off, smoke still comes out. Does this mean it's not engine-related?

It doesn't seem like black smoke, seems more like heat. It doesn't smell either, it's just really smoky! My NCT (MOT) is coming up in a few weeks, don't want to fail on emissions. Any thoughts?

What you got Petrol or Diesel?

 

[iainfm]

What colour is the 'smoke'?

 

[GTJunior1]

It's a 1.6 petrol lusso. The smoke is white, thick white?

 

[iainfm]

It's a 1.6 petrol lusso. The smoke is white, thick white?

It's probably water vapour then. Pretty common in the current weather conditions, but:

a) are you losing any coolant?

b) is the engine getting up to temperature (90degC) and staying there?

 

[chillihound]

It's probably water vapour then. Pretty common in the current weather conditions, but:

Mine seems to pump out a far amount of white smoke, it has just passed it's mot - emissions were fine. It's just steam.

 

[GTJunior1]

Haven't checked the engine temp, but the coolant was close to empty on Tuesday, and I filled it up? What does that mean? cheers for the help

 

[iainfm]

Haven't checked the engine temp, but the coolant was close to empty on Tuesday, and I filled it up? What does that mean? cheers for the help

It means it's going missing, which shouldn't happen...

Probably time to get the engine sniff-tested to see if any combustion gasses are getting into the coolant (head gasket).

Have you looked in the oil filler cap to see if there's any mayonnaise-like residue?

 

[chillihound]

Depends on when you last checked the coolant level. If it was a week ago then there is a problem - 2 years ago and you need to check it more often.

Try to give a bit more info, it helps with the diagnosis.

 

[GTJunior1]

Basically I bought the car last week. Then engine coolant was close to empty when I bought it. Filled it up on Tuesday. It's not leaking or anything, however I'm not sure how long the previous owner was driving around for with low engine coolant. The Oil filter cap is clean.

 

[snoon]

to be fair my 2.0 lusso gives out more steam than your average car - but it's just the cold weather.

I was behind a 59 plate BMW 330 earlier today and it was like he has a james bond style smoke screen on so on just an Alfa thing!

 

[StairyAlfa]

My 147 has been smoking quite badly. But only when cold and seems to stop/slow down once the engine is warm. I’m nervously watching the coolant level every other day but so far so good it is staying at a constant level. There was a little mayonnaise on the oil filler cap but not now. Also the engine temp stays pretty constant as well. This is good. I wouldn’t worry about the smoke just yet. It’s if you have all the signs of a blown gasket that I would get concerned. The smoke on its own doesn’t necessarily mean blown head gasket. I too have seem 09 plate cars driving round with plumes of smoke and id bet my Alfa that they don’t have a blown gasket.

Saying that I’m going to a garage this Thursday to mend my 'sticky gears' problem, so I’m going to mention the excessive smoke then and see what they say. Watch this space.

 

[GTJunior1]

I did a head gasket test, stayed blue thankfully. Had a good look under the hood with my mechanic and we saw a leak coming from top rad hose.. so got a new one, regarding the steam, i think you're right. cold weather is all tis.

 

[StairyAlfa]

Glad you got it fixed without having to fork out loads. Judgment day for me is tomorrow. hopefully they will just confirm that the 'white smoke' is just weather related. Then I can just get down to properly enjoying my car without worry about the possibility of £1000 engine repair round the corner.