white/gray smoke out of exhaust

[7"exhaust_tip]

At idle, or when giving a quick rev a LOT of white/greyish smoke will come out of my exhaust.

I've checked the turbo for shaft play, and it only has a little side to side.

Compression test: 185, 180, 183, 185

Although, I don't know how i can get numbers higher than 178psi ,but i did
I used a cheap-o RicerZone compression tester that they lend out, not sure if that would make a difference.


When i pulled the plugs after the car had been running, smoke poured out of cyl 1's plug hole. (same color smoke that is coming out of the exhaust)

I'm thinking a possible head gasket?
Any ideas?

I'm sure you guys are going to say do a leak-down test. That is going to happen pretty soon, whenever I get some more free time.

 

[somguywitblueye]

sounds like a head gasket problem..

 

[7"exhaust_tip]

would a bad head gasket cause me to have low vacuum?

 

[ECLIPSEESPILCE]

What is the vac @ idle? A skipped timing belt can cause low vacuum. How long are you cranking on the comp. test?

 

[blaster1812]

Warped head/head gasket and coolant entering your combustion chambers.

 

[7"exhaust_tip]

What is the vac @ idle? A skipped timing belt can cause low vacuum. How long are you cranking on the comp. test?

vac is about 14 at idle.

Comp test cranking was probably about 5 maybe 6 seconds or about 4 revs.

 

[ECLIPSEESPILCE]

4-5 spins in a comp test is about right. The vac seems low. Check for vacuum (boost) leaks. If OK check timing belt gear alignment.

 

[7"exhaust_tip]

4-5 spins in a comp test is about right. The vac seems low. Check for vacuum (boost) leaks. If OK check timing belt gear alignment.

no boost leaks. How would I go about checking timing belt gear alignment?

Would i just turn the crank and look at the cam gears to see if the marks line up exactly? Will I be able to tell if they are 1 "tooth" off?

 

[94tsi]

Sounds like a head gasket

 

[90gsx16g]

I would say check your coolant and if its low..then you know its going somewhere you don't want it to go.

 

[7"exhaust_tip]

The coolant level was fine, and was a little low in the overflow tank. It used to have more in the overflow tank, so I'm guessing some was sucked up and is keeping the level in the radiator full for the amount that the car is burning?

 

[ktmrider]

Open the coolant cap and look for bubbles in the fluid. Aeration is a sure sign of a bad HG.
14in/Hg sounds a little low to me too, timing or HG leaks will cause this.