Hello everyone, new to the forum here. I have a 2003 350Z. I bought it new, have never had any problems with it, but for the past couple of years ive noticed everytime i start it (ONLY WHEN COLD) it smokes. White smoke, its NOT BURNING OIL or ANTIFREEZE. So im wondering if it is common with these cars to do this? I personally think there is something wrong with the fuel system. Because sopmetimes when i start it up, it smells like a dirty dishrag literally. I live in Colorado, so i often switch off on using midgrade to regular unleaded. Our elevation is much higher than other places. So i read it is ok to use regular sometimes. I dont know if this has anything to do with it? I guess my question is, HAs anyone had the same smoke problem i have at startup? I read somewhere that is is simply steam....? Thanks in advance! Lorin

 

Hard to say without a video including smell-o-vision... But, if it's white, that's usually a sign of coolant from a blown head gasket. You can tell by the smell and by looking at the oil cap for cloudy ****.
If it doesn't smell like rank fuel or oil or coolant and it's white, and it only happens when it's cold, I'd say it's steam. ie: nothing to worry about.

 

Welcome.

Here is a secret: do not troubleshoot a car when it is cold. Until the motor has reached operating temperature is it not supposed to, well, operate properly.

 

Sure, id say i have smoke problem.. im all out.
chick who hooks it up is preggo now.. doubt she'll be down to be as generous anymore.
Oh well, at 34, maybe its best this way anyways.

 

Sounds like normal steam... but if it's coolant you can usually tell by the smell (sweet funkyness)

 

yea in cold weather white steam is normal on start up.


my question is...why would you wait a couple of years to jump on the forum and ask lmao

 

white smoke is coolant...you could be leaking coolant somewhere or have a headgasket issue