A blown engine will cost you thousands of dollars to fix. If it happens while driving down the road, there’s no way to know how much damage has been done. But if you see white smoke coming out of your car’s exhaust pipe, it could mean one thing – something is wrong with your vehicle.
If you notice white smoke coming from your car’s tailpipe, here are some steps you can take to determine what’s causing it.
- Check the oil level.
- Look for signs of overheating.
- Check the temperature gauge, and if it reads over 90°C, call a tow truck immediately.
- Pull over and open the hood. Look for anything unusual. Is there water dripping onto the ground? Are there wires hanging loose? If you find anything suspicious, contact a mechanic immediately.
What exactly does white smoke mean? And how do you know whether there’s a real issue or just a false alarm? Here’s everything you need to know about white smoke from your exhaust.
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What Do Exhaust Emissions Normally Look Like?
Under normal conditions, you will seldom notice exhaust emissions. However, when you see a lot of thick white smoke out of your tailpipe, it usually indicates an internal combustion engine problem. If you’re driving a diesel truck, there are additional signs that something isn’t quite right.
An exhaust system normally appears as a thin stream of water vapor. That is because most vehicles use catalytic converters to reduce harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons. These devices work by converting toxic gases into harmless substances.
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Causes of Exhaust White Smoke
White smoke out of your car’s exhaust pipe isn’t necessarily a sign of trouble. It’s quite common. But what causes it? Here’s everything you need to know about white smoke.
- Cracked Cylinder Head
A cracked cylinder head leaks coolant into the engine oil. This causes the oil to become contaminated and turn white. When the oil becomes contaminated, it cannot lubricate properly and wear down parts inside the engine. As a result, the engine starts to overheat and eventually seizes up.
- Bad Fuel Injector
White smoke indicates that there is something wrong with the fuel injection system. Don’t hesitate to take it to a garage where they can check the fuel injectors and make sure everything is working properly.
- Cracked Engine Block
Cracked engine blocks are the most expensive repairs you’ll ever pay for because they require replacing the entire engine. This is why it’s important to know whether your engine is leaking oil or water. If it is leaking oil, you’ll want to find a mechanic that specializes in fixing engines. An oil leak won’t necessarily show up as white smoke; however, a crack in the block could lead to leaks.
- Condensation Burn Off
A common problem with older vehicles is white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. This is called “white smoke.” It is caused by condensation build-up inside the exhaust system. If you see white smoke, it usually indicates that the vehicle needs some work done on the cooling system. You don’t want to ignore this because it could lead to serious problems down the road.
- Engine Control Unit Error
White smoke from your vehicle might indicate an ECU error. A faulty ECU will cause misfires and other problems due to a failed sensor or wiring harness.
- Air Filter Clogging
Air filters trap dirt and debris before entering the engine. When the air filter becomes clogged, it causes all sorts of problems for your engine. The first thing you should do if you notice white smoke coming from your vehicle is to clean the air filter.
