As the title says, I'm getting white smoke on start-up from my 2006 4.2SC, it stops after a few seconds of idling. It's basically a good puff of white/ light grey smoke with a acrid (not sweet like coolant burn) smell.

I checked here and there's nothing that matches my symptoms...

There's no loss in power, no fault codes via the IID Tool and coolant level seems stable.

It's most obvious when I leave the car standing for more than a few hours.

Weather here is warm (28C plus) and humidity has been high if that makes a difference.

Is it something to worry about or is it just condensation in the pipes burning off, which I don't believe as then there shouldn't be any real odour to the exhaust fumes.

Any tips and advice would be great thanks.

Guy 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

I would start with a engine compression test . TdV8 mapped and egr deleted , 265/60 r18 on Compomotive rims , Navarricos underbody protection , custom rocksliders , Devon44 hidden winch 9500i , IIDTool

Open heart surgery has commenced....













Should be ready in just over a week and as good as new

Plus they will check the gearbox shunt and transmission whine while they're at it... 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

So what was the problem diagnosed as or are they still investigating?

Cheers
Col

Basically as suspected gasket failure and coolant in the engine.

So initially they'll strip back the engine and check everything. Hoping that it didn't make it's way to the crankshaft...

Currently, been quoted for labour, plus all parts to replace head gaskets, water pump, thermostat as well as machining heads and checking valve seating etc...

So a fairly comprehensive job for the old girl....

Guy 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

I'd say their being cautious.....







Hope they don't have anything leftover after they put this lego puzzle back together... 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

Please keep us updated with more cool pics Guy  Kev

MY2014 L405 RR Vogue SE 4.4 SDV8 in Corris Grey
MY2010 L320 RRS HSE 3.0 TDV6 in Stornoway Grey

That's a comprehensive repair! Let's hope they don't have any little bits left over once they put it back together...  2012 SDV6 - it's missing a couple of cylinders
2008 TDV8 - it was a labour of love and is much missed

You and me both...

But in theory it should be as good as new when I get her back.... 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

yikes! --
2010 Defender Puma 90 + BAS remap + Alive IC + Slickshift + Ashcroft ATB rear
2015 Range Rover Sport Supercharged V8 HSE Dynamic



Defender Puma Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zZ1en9
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Range Rover/Sport L320/L322/L494 Workshop Manual: https://bit.ly/2zc58JQ

I hope it's not all in vein!!
I have the same model as yours and I had white smoke on start up once and it was noticeable but then it never happened again!
Love your pics though 2016 RRS SVR Estoril Blue
2005 4.2L Supercharged Java Black - gone but was my first love.
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If we all point our RR's in the same direction and accelerate at the same time can we turn back time?

Cheers Scrumpy,

Shouldn't be in vain as the car using drinking coolant and the white smoke more noticeable all the time.

The garage has confirmed coolant entering the engine via the cylinder head gasket.

So the full strip down is to ensure the coolant hasn't reached the crank and the big bearings etc.

TBH it seems a bit excessive but I guess better to pay for it once and get it done properly then to have to take it back a few months later and pay twice... It's not exactly a cheap repair... 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"

Once you're that far into an engine, costs tend to escalate due to the "While I'm in there" factor That's how I went from a basic rebuild of a 7.0 V8 into a new 7.5L stroker rotating assembly, heads, rockers, cam, throttle bodies ..

Still, might as well have them throw new shells etc in - those parts are cheap insurance  2014 BMW 530d Touring, 2006 BMW 650i, 2018 Mini Cooper S

aaronjb wrote:

Still, might as well have them throw new shells etc in - those parts are cheap insurance Thumbs Up

And back together again....

Few more things in fixing along the way, but 7ltimatwly these are wear and tear parts like front control arm bushes, discs, pads etc....

















Cheers 2006 RRS S/C CONSTANTLY under modification...
1994 RRC 4.2l not LSE sadly gone but not forgotten
LR Defender 300Tdi - affectionately know as "The Black Beast"