White smoke 720
Discussion
How do McLaren owners….
Owned my current 720 for 3.5 years in that time I’ve had a few issues but nothing major.
I’ve done 10000 miles in that period and recently did a 1000 mile drive around Italy following the Mille Miglia. Had it serviced before and then drove it to Goodwood from Sheffield and back.
Had the car booked in for some warranty work (middle air vent wouldn’t open or close - common fault)
Started the car to take it to McLaren Leeds - normally start it and leave it running for a minute to warm up. Turned the ignition and it filled my garage full of white smoke. The smoke was mainly coming from the offside exhaust.
It stopped so I drove it Leeds, mentioned this to the service department. Went on holiday, they checked the car and said it was probably overfilled with oil and no fault was found. Didn’t think much of it. Had some body repair work - the body shop called Leeds to say it was smoking so they drove it back.
Had an email from the service manager to say a fault had now been found when plugging it in. I called him and he admitted there maybe some social media footage of my car being driven to the dealership with clouds of smoke coming out! He’d seen a video on WhatsApp!! I said well it is what it is - what’s the issue with the engine. They don’t know and working for McLaren Technical team to call them but the likely outcome will be an engine replacement.
Not sure if this is a bit extreme, but I could be months without the car.
I’d like to think they’ll offer me a demonstrator or a replacement whilst it’s being resolved but they weren’t forth coming.
Any pointers or opinions welcome.
Thanks
Owned my current 720 for 3.5 years in that time I’ve had a few issues but nothing major.
I’ve done 10000 miles in that period and recently did a 1000 mile drive around Italy following the Mille Miglia. Had it serviced before and then drove it to Goodwood from Sheffield and back.
Had the car booked in for some warranty work (middle air vent wouldn’t open or close - common fault)
Started the car to take it to McLaren Leeds - normally start it and leave it running for a minute to warm up. Turned the ignition and it filled my garage full of white smoke. The smoke was mainly coming from the offside exhaust.
It stopped so I drove it Leeds, mentioned this to the service department. Went on holiday, they checked the car and said it was probably overfilled with oil and no fault was found. Didn’t think much of it. Had some body repair work - the body shop called Leeds to say it was smoking so they drove it back.
Had an email from the service manager to say a fault had now been found when plugging it in. I called him and he admitted there maybe some social media footage of my car being driven to the dealership with clouds of smoke coming out! He’d seen a video on WhatsApp!! I said well it is what it is - what’s the issue with the engine. They don’t know and working for McLaren Technical team to call them but the likely outcome will be an engine replacement.
Not sure if this is a bit extreme, but I could be months without the car.
I’d like to think they’ll offer me a demonstrator or a replacement whilst it’s being resolved but they weren’t forth coming.
Any pointers or opinions welcome.
Thanks
HIS LM said:
Therein lies the problem with t'internet, waits 3.5 years to post something negative about a McLaren, one hopes some of the ownership experience was positive ?
He said he drove the car 10k, including a 1k tour of Italy. It sounds like he likes his car and wants it back so he can continue to do so. I don't think the problem with the internet is where you think it is.
OP - all you can do is wait for a diagnosis and pray the mechanical gods are with you this time. Fingers crossed it's a minor oil leak or something easily fixable.
lambosagogo said:
HIS LM said:
Therein lies the problem with t'internet, waits 3.5 years to post something negative about a McLaren, one hopes some of the ownership experience was positive ?
He said he drove the car 10k, including a 1k tour of Italy. It sounds like he likes his car and wants it back so he can continue to do so. I don't think the problem with the internet is where you think it is.
OP - all you can do is wait for a diagnosis and pray the mechanical gods are with you this time. Fingers crossed it's a minor oil leak or something easily fixable.
Yes I’d like the car back and love it to bits….only came on here for some thoughts or advice.
The only other issue I’ve found similar to this is on the McLaren owners page in America and only discovered this forum last week.
It’s not to spread negativity of the brand, quite the opposite.
Hope it’s something simple - called today for an update, still waiting for a diagnosis.
Was hoping for a loan car for Bank Holiday…
I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks
The only other issue I’ve found similar to this is on the McLaren owners page in America and only discovered this forum last week.
It’s not to spread negativity of the brand, quite the opposite.
Hope it’s something simple - called today for an update, still waiting for a diagnosis.
Was hoping for a loan car for Bank Holiday…
I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks
Sorry to hear that.
White smoke is normally water vapour (steam) from coolant. The classic cause is a failed head gasket letting coolant into the combustion chamber, I don't know if there are other possible leak paths on the 720 such as the chargecoolers or turbos if they're water cooled.
If the smoke was from burning oil it would be blueish grey. There is an occasional issue on the 720 where oil can start leaking into the wrong part of the head.
Anyway the good news is it's under warranty so they should sort the issue for you, whatever it is. I don't see why it should take more than 2-4 weeks to replace the engine, but I guess it depends on how long your car is waiting for (a) the dealership to have the free time and (b) to receive the parts from McLaren.
The extended warranty means that the dealership can claim back repair costs from the warranty company for work done which they can prove is required and covered on your car. You'd have to check your Ts & Cs, but I don't think the warranty includes provision of a courtesy car. So if the dealership lend you a car that would be 'on them' so to speak, I guess it depends on them and on how much they value you as a customer.
All I can suggest is that you keep chasing the dealership every week, and push them for either a commitment to get your car fixed relatively quickly or a loan Mac in the interim.
Good luck.
White smoke is normally water vapour (steam) from coolant. The classic cause is a failed head gasket letting coolant into the combustion chamber, I don't know if there are other possible leak paths on the 720 such as the chargecoolers or turbos if they're water cooled.
If the smoke was from burning oil it would be blueish grey. There is an occasional issue on the 720 where oil can start leaking into the wrong part of the head.
Anyway the good news is it's under warranty so they should sort the issue for you, whatever it is. I don't see why it should take more than 2-4 weeks to replace the engine, but I guess it depends on how long your car is waiting for (a) the dealership to have the free time and (b) to receive the parts from McLaren.
The extended warranty means that the dealership can claim back repair costs from the warranty company for work done which they can prove is required and covered on your car. You'd have to check your Ts & Cs, but I don't think the warranty includes provision of a courtesy car. So if the dealership lend you a car that would be 'on them' so to speak, I guess it depends on them and on how much they value you as a customer.
All I can suggest is that you keep chasing the dealership every week, and push them for either a commitment to get your car fixed relatively quickly or a loan Mac in the interim.
Good luck.
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