2002 Smokes and Sounds like a Diesel when Cold

We just paid $17,000 for a 2002 Bravavda with 44,000 miles on it.

In the morning when starting it up cold, it is very very loud (and sounds like a diesel) and blows a lot of white smoke. It's not a water-vapor type of white smoke, it's heavy and hangs around, unlike steam would. The smoke and loud noise do recede after it's warmed up.

I know that's very vague but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what could cause this. We have a 30-day warranty, so I need to be armed with info ASAP.

Thanks in advance!

-Tony

We just paid $17,000 for a 2002 Bravavda with 44,000 miles on it.

In the morning when starting it up cold, it is very very loud (and sounds like a diesel) and blows a lot of white smoke. It's not a water-vapor type of white smoke, it's heavy and hangs around, unlike steam would. The smoke and loud noise do recede after it's warmed up.

I know that's very vague but I was wondering if anyone has any suggestions as to what could cause this. We have a 30-day warranty, so I need to be armed with info ASAP.

Thanks in advance!

-Tony

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Tony,

I'm experiencing the exact same problem with my 1999. It just started a month ago. Did you come to any resolution to the problem?

Thanks,
Ed

No ...the dealer says it is "piston slap" and "sounds" are not covered by the waranty. They claim that there is no damage being done.

What kind of oil filters are you using? Fram filters are known to cause the symptoms you describe.

Thick oil will make the lifters peck loud when the motor is cold too. Put in some Castrol or Kendall 5W-30 so the lifters can get primed. That's how I solved the noise problem on my '97.
If the smoke is white, it's most likely water vapor, regardless of how long it takes to disappear. If it has a blueish tint, oil being burned would be a possibility. You might try pulling a sparkplug and examining it for a heavy shiney black carbon deposits on the end.

a fuel injector stuck open could cause these problems. the fuel system remains under pressure after the engine is shut off and fuel drips down into the cylnder where some escapes past the rings and dilutes the oil. the sympton is similar to a stuck choke on a normaly aspirated motor, thick white smoke from running rich. there have even been cases where the oil level actualy increases between oil changes. if you are in a state with emmission test you will usualy fail the test due to excessive unburned fuel in the exaust unless you change the oil just prior to the test.