Hard Starting cold, White smoke

[dublonius]

Hey All,

help needed, my car (94, 325i, auto, 190k) is having a hard time starting cold (really struggling, takes awhile)... once started it blows a lot of white/light exhaust smoke... it isn't misfiring... once it is warm it starts real easy but still blows excessive light coloured exhaust...

is it a head gasket? how can i troubleshoot the problem? what other possible problems could it be?


thanks.

[WindyDays]

What's up with all these head gasket threads today? You guys are starting to make me paranoid. :shifty

[jmo69]

White smoke a.k.a. steam happens a lot when it's cold outside. Does the smoke smell like coolant, is your level of coolant dropping or your oil cloudy and foamy??? Could be anything from plugs to fuel filter or pump causing hard starting.

[dublonius]

haha it's not steam, I'm not that much of a ratard... some of it is steam but not the amount I am seeing... its not all that cold here like 5 degrees Celsius, 41 F

[jmo69]

I guess I'm used to 20 F and my car puts out white smoke even after warmed up at highway speeds and no head gasket issues.

[TuonoTom]

I guess I'm used to 20 F and my car puts out white smoke even after warmed up at highway speeds and no head gasket issues.

Yeah, isn't it scary weird? Are they ALL like that?!

I have been rubbernecking for a couple weeks, amazed at what a cloud-maker this thing is [93 325is]. It's been 20-30's here for a while too.

After fully warmed, including hwy miles, off an exit and it's puffin again.

-T_T