Difference between condesation and oil smoke

[B-man]

Hello,

My 05 3.0 sat for 3 days. It's been raining and with temps around the upper 40's. When I started the car, small white smoke from the exhaust. Not burning oil smell and no leaks when I checked the engine. Could it be just condesation?

Thanks

[Nasov]

Oil smoke is black, white is from water.If it's soon gone, condensation sounds possible. But if it stays and grow bigger, the problem can be the head gasket. Is that a 3.0 diesel?

[ducati2242]

Oil smoke isnt black at all its white . If the smoke you see vanishes then it is water if it dosent and it floats about then it is oil.

Black smoke is unburnt diesel fumes.

[JCL]

No E53 diesels in the US.

Classic symptoms are blue smoke for oil, black smoke for unburned fuel, white smoke for coolant. Many can't tell the difference, though. If it goes away when the vehicle is warm, it is likely condensation.

[o. l. t.]

Condensation usually goes up the backside of the glass and fogs it when driving as I first start out. That is one certain way to know.