White smoke at start
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2010
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From: Bellevue, WA
'10 C63 AMG P31, '88 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe, '78 Toyota FJ40, '10 Audi Q7 TDi
White smoke at start
Uh oh - My '78 FJ40 loves to belch white smoke at start up. That's expected given it's over 32 years old.
However, I would not expect my 2010 C63 AMG to belch _ANY_ white smoke at startup. I have now noticed it doing it 5-6 times.
It is a fair amount too, but just at start. I think it happens more at cold starts (I can't remember it happening at warm start). It does not do it EVERY cold start (at least that I've noticed).
Known "issue" with these cars or should I get it into the stealer?
However, I would not expect my 2010 C63 AMG to belch _ANY_ white smoke at startup. I have now noticed it doing it 5-6 times.
It is a fair amount too, but just at start. I think it happens more at cold starts (I can't remember it happening at warm start). It does not do it EVERY cold start (at least that I've noticed).
Known "issue" with these cars or should I get it into the stealer?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
I think it is just condensation burning off in the exhaust. If the ambient temperatures are low then it will be more noticeable. Part of the combustion process is water and this will collect in the exhaust and when the humidity in the exhaust hits the cold outside air it will condense forming a white smoke or mist. As the air temperatures rise and can hold more moisture the white smoke will lessen. As the exhaust system warms up, after a few minutes of run-time, the smoke will lessen and eventually disappear.
It is blue/white or black/gray smoke from the exhaust that indicates a problem. Blue/white smoke indicates oil getting into the exhaust by bypassing the rings or valves and black smoke indicates an overly rich mixture condition.
The blue smoke indicates engine wear or a mechanical problem of some sort and the black/gray smoke should be diagnosed and corrected before engine damage occurs from excess fuel washing down the cylinder walls and possibly causing dilution of the oil in the sump.
You can check with the stealer for peace of mind but I think it is a normal condition of operation in colder temperatures.
It is blue/white or black/gray smoke from the exhaust that indicates a problem. Blue/white smoke indicates oil getting into the exhaust by bypassing the rings or valves and black smoke indicates an overly rich mixture condition.
The blue smoke indicates engine wear or a mechanical problem of some sort and the black/gray smoke should be diagnosed and corrected before engine damage occurs from excess fuel washing down the cylinder walls and possibly causing dilution of the oil in the sump.
You can check with the stealer for peace of mind but I think it is a normal condition of operation in colder temperatures.
