White smoke from the exhaust. Is this a problem?

[pearsontriton28]

Hello friends, I received valuable advice regarding my ignition issues and got my old A4 working nicely, so I’m back with something else. As the title says, I have white smoke coming from my exhaust. Quite a bit of white smoke. More than should be coming from a carborated engine...I think. I draw my comparisons from other carborated vehicles I own(ed). Couple things to note: smoke increases as I throttle up, has been noticeable before the ignition issues (now taken care of), has a very slight” exhaust” smell, I’m not fouling any plugs and the engine runs strong. Should I be concerned. Opinions please.

[ndutton]

Is it really smoke or maybe steam? Have you previously observed a carbureted engine with a wet exhaust?

[pearsontriton28]

Is it really smoke or maybe steam? Have you previously observed a carbureted engine with a wet exhaust?

Can’t say I have much experience with 4 stroke marine engines with wet exhaust. Ive dealt with a few 2 stroke outboard engines and those were a bit smoky but that’s 2 stroke for ya. I guess some of what I’m seeing could be steam but the smoke is pretty smelly more so than my other carborated vehicles and it looks and behaves more like smoke than steam.

[joe_db]

Maybe a photo? White smoke means burning antifreeze usually, but unless you are FWC that really isn't an option.
Maybe oil smoke combined with steam?

[roadnsky]

Do you still have a good flow of water out of the exhaust?
Where is the boat located? What's the approx water temp?

[pearsontriton28]

Do you still have a good flow of water out of the exhaust?
Where is the boat located? What's the approx water temp?

I do have pretty good flow of water. I’m located on the south shore of Lake Erie.
I’m not sure what my water temp is. Waiting for my temp gauge in the mail. Lake water temp is *66.

[Sam]

Do you have "standpipe/water -exhaust mix" or water lift/muffler exhaust system. The former yields a great deal more steam/white smoke than the latter. I have a stand pipe setup and some fellow boaters have been for years [decades really] have been warning me that I have smoke coming out of the exhaust.

[pearsontriton28]

Do you have "standpipe/water -exhaust mix" or water lift/muffler exhaust system. The former yields a great deal more steam/white smoke than the latter. I have a stand pipe setup and some fellow boaters have been for years [decades really] have been warning me that I have smoke coming out of the exhaust.

I have a standpipe configuration.

[Sam]

Sounds like you have some white exhaust steam [exhaust & water are mixing in the stand pipe just prior to exhaust line] that might hover around the aft exhaust when you still or moving slow. Not sure of your engine age or thermostat setup but if it is an "early model" with a Dole tstat then by design a little water is leaking past the housing to stand pipe even when water is directed thru the block. This tends to cool the raw hot exhaust on warm up producing a fair amount of steam.."white smoke".