Do Not Sell My Personal Information Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Subaru Owners Club UK | Subaru Forums

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

Thick White smoke from exhaust at idle once warmed up and driven

Featured Replies

Hi i have a 04 wrx with a few mods on it but i have a smoke issuse i warm my scooby up before driving it and every now and thern (couple of weeks sometimes less) after i drive it a few mile when i come to a stop at idle thick white smoke comes plumming from the exhaust with a almost burning smell but soon as i pull away anf get to about 3000rpm it stops and dosnt come back till the next time it happens . Anyone have a clue what it could be ive had people say its coolant , head gasket , turbo to say a few   please help 


@Owian04WRX

im not 100% clued up on this sort of stuff, but I think white smoke means your burning water and blue means your burning oil. I'm lead to believe a small plume of white smoke on a cold start is normal as condensation is left in the exhaust from when it cools down. If this is happening when the cars already warm, my first thought would be that it could be head gasket related; but as I said I'm far from an expert. 

Is the exhaust decatted? as mentioned condensation will form when the car is cold. if it clears when warm i wouldn't worry unless your loosing coolant or oil.

  • Author

@HawkSTI yeh im not clued up ethir and its only really when its warmed up and lasts for a min or two thern stops and not really losing any oil or coolant seems strange but thanks @Tidgy yehh it is a full decat . Hmm it only really does it like 10 15 mins after its warmed up 

if it stops then i wouldnt worry then. just watch fluid levels (as you should be doing anyway ;) ) and enjoy the miles of smiles :)


  • Author

@Tidgy yehh i check therm atleast once a week to be safe . And yehh miles of smiles scooby was the best machine ive owned :D  300whp of fun 

Create an account or sign in to comment


Background Picker
Customize Layout

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.