[ZeroBrainZzz]

I just started driving my 2006 9-5 to work recently and there is some white smoke that looks like it's coming from near the turbo or around that area. Only happens at idle though and it's not alot it only lasts maybe a second or two. The smoke comes from the engine bay and not the exhaust and that's what confuses me because I can't find any information online about it. Anyone know what could cause this???

 

[amartya]

I just started driving my 2006 9-5 to work recently and there is some white smoke that looks like it's coming from near the turbo or around that area. Only happens at idle though and it's not alot it only lasts maybe a second or two. The smoke comes from the engine bay and not the exhaust and that's what confuses me because I can't find any information online about it. Anyone know what could cause this???

I am a new Saab owner, so it's better to wait for the experts to weigh in, but here are a couple of thoughts in case it gives you any ideas:

1) If it happens on idle and disappears after a while, it could be an oil leak that is getting on the exhaust manifold. Of course, the oil just burns off on the hot manifold because the oil leak isn't that bad (check the regular suspects, valve cover gasket etc.)

2) Similar thing could happen with a coolant leak too, although this is less likely.

As you can tell, my going theory is a fluid leak on a hot surface. If possible (maybe on a weekend?) take a video upon startup / during idle, that might help some of the other folks here help you.

 

[91RSLT1]

I was going to ask a very similar question about the smoke (oil) that is coming from my post cat (downstream) O2 sensor. From what I can tell it is leaking out of the valve cover. Thing is I barely get any oil on the outside of the head. Just a very small amount that is just to the right of cyl#1 and just to the left of cyl#4 on the head just above the exhaust manifold. The tiny amount of oil looks like it is slow making its way down the front of the engine and ending up on the wire for the post cat O2 sensor, from there it makes it way down to the metal body of the O2 sensor and I get some smoke. My problem is you can smell it when you have the vent on and you are sitting at a light idling. Is this common and indicates that I need to change my valve cover gasket? Thing is I just changed my DIC and there was maybe a drop or two of oil on the DIC (between #2and #3). Otherwise the are under the DIC was dry/clean. My other thought is that the O2 was possibly replaced (doubtful has 54K) and the wire could be routed better so the oil does not run down onto the hot O2. Still to me suggest that the valve cover needs replacing. Thoughts? Any brand/manuf. of valve cover gasket that I should avoid or make sure I purchase?

 

[amartya]

I was going to ask a very similar question about the smoke (oil) that is coming from my post cat (downstream) O2 sensor. From what I can tell it is leaking out of the valve cover. Thing is I barely get any oil on the outside of the head. Just a very small amount that is just to the right of cyl#1 and just to the left of cyl#4 on the head just above the exhaust manifold. The tiny amount of oil looks like it is slow making its way down the front of the engine and ending up on the wire for the post cat O2 sensor, from there it makes it way down to the metal body of the O2 sensor and I get some smoke. My problem is you can smell it when you have the vent on and you are sitting at a light idling. Is this common and indicates that I need to change my valve cover gasket? Thing is I just changed my DIC and there was maybe a drop or two of oil on the DIC (between #2and #3). Otherwise the are under the DIC was dry/clean. My other thought is that the O2 was possibly replaced (doubtful has 54K) and the wire could be routed better so the oil does not run down onto the hot O2. Still to me suggest that the valve cover needs replacing. Thoughts? Any brand/manuf. of valve cover gasket that I should avoid or make sure I purchase?

If you are seeing that slight bit of a leak from the valve cover, go with the replacement (by the way 54K, and if the valve cover gasket have not been replaced, this would be a good time ).
I'd recommend going with the OEM (Elring) valve cover gaskets. I did this job recently and the fit was perfect. I also took advice from this thread here: Link

Link from FCPEuro (~$15)

Link from Eeuroparts (~$15)

 

[estrackel]

I just went through this recently (55K).
Smoking just kept getting worse over the past year or so but the leak didn't look all that bad until I got under it and everything was coated in oil. It was all hidden by that plastic splash shield under the passenger side of the car. So basically it was dripping down in hidden areas that I couldn't see.

Took me longer to clean up the mess than it did to change the gasket, so do yourself a favor and change it now.
The wrapping the cover (with new gasket installed) in dental floss trick worked great. Take pics so you remember the orientation.

 

[NJL029-5]

Check your oil pressure switch as well. Mine was leaking oil onto exhaust causing similar symptoms.

 

[91RSLT1]

Check your oil pressure switch as well. Mine was leaking oil onto exhaust causing similar symptoms.

What brand did you go with? Does the brand really matter that much for this item? I don't think it is as important as other electronics. I am going to replace mine but want to get the "good" one/brand.

 

[NJL029-5]

Go to Rock Auto and buy the WVE one. It’s an NGK/NTK product. Make sure you have a crows foot wrench or something to tighten it’s hard to reach.