White Smoke Pouring from Exhaust

This morning my 2005 Passat TDI started putting out huge clouds of white smoke from the exhaust pipe. The emissions message and check engine light came on very soon afterwards. I parked it. What are the usual suspects for such a situation? Thank you.

First do not drive though you may know that. Either condition can cause sever damage.

That is one of two causes.

1. Unbunt fuel due to injection and or injection timing issues, failed injector.

2. Water (coolant)

Check the oil, see if it has white streaks or emulsify (chocolate looking) Not a given, but it can leak both ways. Head gasket most likely.

Best wishes on simple.

Get 'er scanned... the car has some clues and is trying to tell you.

Thanks for the advice. I guessed not to drive it because it was one of those extreme moments. Hello AAA.

Vince Waldon said:

Get 'er scanned... the car has some clues and is trying to tell you.

Click to expand...

^ this. Even a generic OBD scanner will give some clues...

I forgot to mention that the smoke smelled of burned oil and lingered like the misty morning in an old movie. It didn't seem like coolant. Time will tell.

It was the EGR cooler.

What codes were stored when the CEL and emissions light came on? The ECU does not monitor the cooler directly.

I do not know the codes, but the EGR Cooler has been replaced. Still some steam puffing from the exhaust. Sorry I can't say how much but the vw technician thinks there should be absolutely none after replacing the egr cooler and running the vehicle for awhile.

There was never any loss of performance, so we don't think it is a head gasget, so can anyone chime in as to what COULD still be causing some steam from the exhaust?

From Where else does coolant leak into the exhaust?

Thank you!

How far have you driven the car since you replaced the EGR cooler?

Not out of the ordinary for coolant to pool in the catalytic and take a while to burn off.

Did you ever have the codes scanned?

Coolant can get into the exhaust from the egr cooler, head gasket, cracked head, or a cracked block.

...if the smoke is coolant and not unburnt fuel.

Is the coolant level going down in the reservoir?