Smoking habit, quit ?

[GeeWizz*12]

My van was smoking (whitish) quite a lot after cold start, when driven on load, not noticeable on idle or revved upto soft limiter (2.5k?). Only did it when fully cold, so each morning for less than 5 minutes, for a week. Coolant was nearer min than max, but could have always been, thinking EGR cooler I topped up to max line ready to monitor, but hasn’t smoked since. Planning to go away for a week or two next month but don’t think it’s magically fixed itself.
Any ideas ? Is it worth taking to my VAG specialist even though no codes or symptoms currently?

 

[DXX]

Smoke or steam?

 

[GeeWizz*12]

I’d say smoke, but also something I wanted check closer, but difficult as nothing whilst stationary, and currently nothing at all so can’t be sure.

 

[Dellmassive]

white is normally raw diesel fuel or water getting into the engine/exhaust.

ie gasket or leaking injector.

however there is a lot of water that will condense in the exhaust during normal use, and condense water will steam off at the start of some journeys if its there from the last journey.

so as @DXX says above if its just condense water steam vapour then it may not necessarily be a problem.

loosing coolant however IS a problem.

 

[Dellmassive]

I’d say smoke, but also something I wanted check closer, but difficult as nothing whilst stationary, and currently nothing at all so can’t be sure.

try again while dark, use a torch and film the exhaust with your phone. . . any smoke/vapour will be more visible.

try it with a cold engine,

then again when the vans up to temp.

 

[DXX]

Put a plate in the freezer.
Plate next to exhaust.
Steam will condense, smoke won’t.

 

[bluezie]

Very smelly white smoke, which makes your eyes water = diesel.
Sweet sickly smelling white smoke = coolant
Almost smell free white smoke = water vapour, from condensation, but you won't get this at summer temperatures.

 

[GeeWizz*12]

It was quite a wet weekend’s camping so maybe condensation, my VAG specialist suggested could even just be attempted regen. Until it repeats can’t tell, and even then nothing noticeable when stationary, so difficult to film or put plate next to exhaust, but thanks for suggestions.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

White smoke can also be the turbo