SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - lentos

Any thoughts of why my Saab has suddenly started to pout out clouds of white smoke from the exhaust? I have checked the oil and water res. and both seem OK. No mixing.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this,

Thanks,

lentos

SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - SlidingPillar

Either oil or water is getting into the cylinders. Probably water, probably head gasket failure.

Doesn't much to make a lot of smoke/vapour so a level check could easily look ok at first.

A compression test will probably show it up.

SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - hillman

I think that the cylinder head gasket might be on the way to failing.

Or have you refilled the tank recently ? It's remotely possible that the filling station tank was almost empty due to the panic buying and you've been mixing water with the fuel.

SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - pd

Sounds to me like the turbo has gone. Not that uncommon - far more likely than the head gasket.

Does it look anything like this:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH7q_jwgZRw

?

SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - lentos

Thanks for that. Yes, it looks exactly like that! Is a turbo expensive and do you kow if it can be driven for a mile or so to the garage?

Many thnks,

lentos

SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - Avant

Moved to Technical.

SAAB 9-5 Auto petrol 02 - White smoke from exhaust. Clouds of it - pd

If the turbo seals have gone it is burnt oil you are seeing. Driving it could see it run out of oil or the engine run its self to destruction so I'd be very careful doing that.

Recon turbos usually cost about £500 ish + fitting. It depends on the exact model.