Serious amounts of white smoke after start up
 

As above, my 2005 sti has lots of white smoke from exhaust after start up. Gets better but doesn't stop after reaching temp. Also tested coolant and combustion gasses are evident in coolant. It is also breathing slightly from filler cap. Does anyone have any thoughts and advice on this matter. Any help would be appreciated. I'm thinking maybe head gaskets but not sure

White smoke usually indicates turbo goosed, i believe.

You sure its not just condensation from the exhaust due to the cold weather? do you have a stainless steel exhaust as this collects moisture and you will get a lot of steam from it, mine is that bad when its -3 that cant see for it when i reverse first thing in morning, and still get some when its warmed up, would not worry about it unless its over heating or using water, when the air temps warm up a bit it would worry then if its doing it.
Jay

video it - so we can see if it is smoke or just steam.

Mine is the same as Jay's - loads of steam every morning recently!

Shoulda mentioned, I'm an HGV mechanic, thanks for the comments but I can tell difference from just condensation in exhaust. I think it is steam but has to be from cooling system for the amount there is.

Is it using coolant though ??

If youve done a sniffer test and found combustion gases in the coolant. Then there is only one reason there there. Head gasget failure.

I haven't been driving it to find out, it has been using a small amount over the last few months but now it's like massive plumes of smoke when started, then continuous steing from exhaust. I was hoping its the turbo so I could replace with md321h but thought turbo smoke would be blue (oil)

It sounds very like HG failure to me mate

white smoke to this level is almost certainly head gasket failure. yes blue smoke is oil, black indicates over fuel.

As above it sounds more like a head gasket issue to me :( Is it using coolant?

Oh we'll thanks for confirming what I thought. Not going to be a nice bill then :(

Check your water/coolant level.

Mine is the same first thing in the morning as well when it's cold, I've clouds of white smoke coming out the back for ages.