I have a 2001 2.5td, it had been running fine until I arrived at work this morning and noticed white odourless smoke coming from the exhaust when I parked up.

The car seems to be running slightly under power, though not overly noticeably (I could be expecting this and so imagining it) and sits fine at idle.

When I got home from work (~15 miles), I noticed the smoke coming out a lot faster than it was this morning.

I've checked the oil cap and dipstick and the oil appears fine. The coolant also seems OK.

What could be the issue and what steps should I take to diagnose the problem?

Thanks

 

The first place to look would be your head gasket. I'm not familiar enough with the 2.5TD to offer much guidance but white smoke usually indicates water in the combustion chamber and a failing head gasket is the most likely culprit. From what I've read, the heads on the diesels are pretty bulletproof so little risk of cracking.

Check compression on all four cylinders, the results should shed some light on the issue.

 

Now might be a good time to drain the oil. If you remove the drain plug and clean water pours out, head gasket, or cracked blocked/head. A dipstick and oil cap may appear fine, but there could still be an issue. Another check is to take the coolant reservoir cap off engine cold and then start. Observe closely. If there are bubbles, there's an issue

 

Did Chrysler build any 2001 model engines that don't crack the head?

 

Yes I'm not sure what the number is I think it's 0640.

 

Fortunately, the 2.5L TD wasn't made by Chrysler but by VM Motori S.p.A in Italy.

 

Thanks for the info all. Going to take it to a garage in the morning and hope for the best. I don't have the time or expertise to even consider taking care of it myself (but equally, don't have the money for the garage) Will update tomorrow.

Thanks again

 

coming from a diesel background, if you dont find any coolant in oil or coolant usage. i would inspect the turbocharger is it building good boost? any loud air rushing sounds under the hood like a boost leak?. any low power issues?

 

Why would any of that cause white smoke? Worse when it's warmed up?

 

It's a turbo the oil is leaking into the intake/ compressor side causing it to burn hints the white smoke if it were leaking on exhaust it would be black easiest way to diag that is take the intake boot off turbo an look

 

Yup messed up fuel/air ratio or presence of oil can cause white smoke. Apparently hydraulic fluid can too.

 

I noticed some loss of power a few weeks back but it seemed to go back to normal. At the moment, it doesn't feel feel like it;s lost much (if any power) and no abnormal sounds.

(I couldn't get a garage to look at it til Monday so still in the dark)