3k miles-Smoke during start

[suderex]

Today I just got my 3k oil change. Tonight, someone was behind me as I was starting my 03 wagon. I noticed a cloud of smoke in the lights. Should I be concerned?

Regards,
Matt

[spacemanspiff]

What color was the smoke? Did it do that before the oil change? Do you smell it inside the car?

[suderex]

I looked like white smoke.

[spacemanspiff]

Have you modded the car at all? Exhaust or boost control?

[MOG_22]

I get white smoke when I start the car too. It's been doing that since the day I bought it and I assume it's because the engine is not warmed up. Does it go away after you've been driving awhile?

[suderex]

No mods...it seems to go away. It appears to be just at startup.

[spacemanspiff]

When engine coolant burns the smoke it produces is typically white, and burning coolant is definately not a good sign. However, If the ambiant air temp is low and the relative humidity is high, the water coming from the tail pipe in the form of vapour is easily mistaken for "smoke", especially at night with white headlights illuminating it and especially before the engine is at normal operating temperature. Consider checking your coolant level frequently. Also, when you check your engine oil level, start taking a few whiffs of it and looking to see if there is any unusual color, smell, or foreign matter. If there is an internal coolant leak somewhere, you can usually find some of the stuff in the engine oil. Let's hope that there isn't any. Good luck and keep us posted.

[03WRXMA]

Originally posted by suderex
No mods...it seems to go away. It appears to be just at startup.

If you have some time to spare bring it in and see what the dealer has to say... wont hurt to have it logged!