Hey guys,

I've been having a problem with my 09 X358 Super V8 this past month.

It seems on cold start ups I have white smoke coming out of the exhaust for 10 seconds or so.
This only happened on cold start ups, even on days where it is hot and humid here in Miami.

I went to 3 different mechanics, one being Jaguar dealer.
Non of them know what it is since the smoke does not smell sweet like coolant, burnt oil or burnt brake fluid.

The smoke smells like burnt PLASTIC!

I have been keeping an eye out on coolant and oil levels for about a month now and they are at perfect levels.

I changed the spark plugs and the old ones looked normal.
There are no signs of leaks underneath the carriage.

The only thing that comes to mind is that the 02 sensors or cats have gone bad and are making the car run super rich?

Any thoughts? Seen this before?

VIDEO attached...

 

How far are you driving on each trip ? White smoke is normally not smoke at all, but water vapour. Burning fuel converts the fuel to heat plus two main gases, carbon dioxide, and water vapour. If journeys are short, the water produced condenses on the exhaust pipes, and if the exhaust system doesn't get hot enough, can accumulate in the exhaust system.


White smoke can also be oil smoke, but it would definitely small of burning oil.


I don't think you have anything to worry about if the fluid levels are OK and the car runs perfectly.

 

The video indicates an issue, and is not simple catalyst steam. I would suspect it is being drawn in through the intake process. If it is coolant, and you use a silica based anti-freeze, you have already poisoned the O2 sensors. I would pull the plugs and do a good examination, and then do a cylinder leakage test, and I would also examine for oil or coolant in the intake manifold tract.

 

Before the cylinder leakage test I would start with a cylinder compression test to quickly ascertain if there is a problem.

 

+1 on this and add a radiator pressure test. Also check the oil in the sump for water and the trans fluid level

It's possible you have multiple issues but the first step is to identify what is getting into the combustion process then start to track down where.

Cheers
34by151

 

Might be a inlet or exhaust valve guide seal leaking and letting a little oil into the combustion chamber mine sometimes does it and a little smoke comes out trouble is it only takes a small amount of oil to make it smoke

 

Yes I have seen clouds of white smoke before.

I suggest that you find a section of fairly straight quiet road, drive at say 50mph and kick

it down sharply a couple of times and it may clear.

Take care!

 

Run your finger in the exhaust tailpipe. See if it is oily(black) or greasy/slimy(antifreeze).

 

Have you tried this shop? They specialize in ONLY Jaguars. They've fixed a few things on my car.

 

I suspect a brake master cylinder issue. Brake fluid leaking from the master cylinder is drawn into the vacuum power booster and on into the engine.
These leaks are so small that they are undetectable during normal driving but after the car sets overnight an accumulation of brake fluid causes the distinctive white smoke and unusual smell.
To verify you simply let the car sit overnight, disconnect and plug the vacuum line to the power booster and start the car. If no white smoke appears you have ID'ed the problem.