How much exhaust smoke is normal?

[BigYin]

I notice that my Surf is producing a fair amount of exhaust smoke when warming up in the morning - not surprised to see some - hell, it was -9c so it's BOUND to be obvious! But there was a fair old amount.

It may be absolutely normal - it's a 3l diesel engine, 17 years old - and on fast idle on a perishing cold morning - I just don't know!!

[blackpoolsparks]

A normal amount is OK

anything more is excessive

[Albannach]

Look at Alan's and mine. Then decide. But as a rule of thumb, and as Goran said, a wee bit for a wee while is fine.

[si tate]

I must say mine's producing a bit more in this cold weather, probably due to the condensation that collects over night in the exhaust, clears up after a few minutes though.

[KERRSURF]

black smoke?

mines is like hot breath, white steam rather than smoke.
It's fine in warmer weather though.

[BigYin]

not black smoke, nope, just a lot of grey/white exhaust smoke.

[KERRSURF]

normal in very cold temps.

[Surfer Ross]

Both of my 3 litre Surfs have done this in the cold. I sh*t myself when I first saw it, I was sure the head gasket was going. Its totally normal to have start up smoke/condensation on the 3.0TD

[BigYin]

Cheers guys - that's reassuring! It was a very still, very cold morning - I'd fired the truck up and left it on the higher idle setting to get it to warm up while I grabbed my work stuff from the house. I came back outside to a huge cloud of exhaust smoke and thought "Oh HELL" - but it was -9c, and there was no wind at all to disperse the exhaust smoke, so it's probably not an issue - it is a 17 year old 3 litre diesel after all - can't really expect it to have invisible exhaust gasses