I got this formula a4 its stock except for the k&n intake and gutted cats.... the car is smoking out of the exhaust pretty bad even when getting warm. Its kind of whitish and smells like exhaust. it runs like a beast no hesitation but it was sitting for the past few months... what do you think is the problem? if it is the head gasket how can i tell and whats a ballpark figure on a good shop to do the work?

 

White smoke (steam) is almost always coolant. If you suspect a blown head gasket, a coolant pressure test/compression test would help in diagnosing. Also pull the plugs and see if any of them have been steam-cleaned.

 

Have you had to add coolant or oil to it? What is your oil level at on the dipstick? Look inside the fill cap, choco pudding? Is it smoke or steam? How many miles on the car? is it only at start up and not any other time? How bad has the car been abused? ADD A SIG!

 

Doesnt burn oil, the radiator is bad i believe so ive had to add some coolant to that, oil level was normal just a hair more oil over the fill line, 112k on the car, its pretty cold im in ny it seams to be steamish exhaustish, it smokes alotttttt runs good... the oil isnt bubbly or black its lighter brown

 

Is it just recently it's started doing this? Did it do it last winter?

 

Add a SIG with your CAR details. It helps us keep in mind what you have. As far as the radiator goes, are you sure it's bad? If it isn't leaking and you are losing coolant, chances are, you already know where--the engine. Though you don't really have any other symptoms. Has it overheated at all?

When did you get the car and how much have you driven it?

 

It sat for a few months I got it from a friend. Is this the head gasket?
How much am I looking around

 

Ok... go down the list, does the car get hot?, does the heater work?, does the oil level go up, does the coolant have oil in it, if all of these are normal then run a pressure test, and if all checks out then you probably dont have a blown head gasket

 

Since the weather has gotten cooler, could it just be the water vapor from the exhaust?

 

Does it go away after the car runs awhile?

 

After it warms up it smokes like a ****. I think it's popped