01 Saab 9-3 blowing white smoke - don't think it's the head gasket
 

Hi,

This is my first post to the group. My 2001 Saab 9-3 sold in Canada is blowing lots of white smoke from the tail pipe, from the oil cap (cap off) and from the # 4 cylinder (spark plugs removed). The spark plugs are black - that's all. The engine runs smoothly. The oil is not milky looking. Engine has 174,000 km or 108,000 miles on it.

Wondering if it is the umbrella seals, the turbo, the rings or what.

Could someone out there give me a little guidance as to what they think might be wrong? I appreciate it. I bought the car used in the US but again, it came down from Canada and was bought new in Canada. Am I better off repairing it or putting another engine in it?

Thanks
Matthew
asheville, NC