Troubleshooting Your Car When Smoke Pours From The Tailpipe
Under normal circumstances, your car should not produce any emissions that you can see. Anything coming out of the tailpipe should be invisible. That said, millions of drivers notice smoke escaping from their exhaust while they’re on the road. Some panic while others simply ignore it. Depending upon the color, it might imply there’s a serious problem with your vehicle.
From wispy, white vapors to billows of thick, black exhaust, most motorists lack an understanding about the root causes. Today, I’ll explain what is likely causing the problem based upon the color of your vehicle’s exhaust. This will help you identify whether a small, easily fixed issue exists, or an engine overhaul is necessary.
Wispy White Vapors
If you notice thin vapors coming from your exhaust and dissipating quickly, there’s no need for concern. This happens when condensation accumulates while your vehicle is at rest (for example, overnight). When you start your car, the expulsion from your tailpipe blows the condensation out in the form of vapors.
When Your Car Has The Blues
Blue smoke is a sign that motor oil has penetrated the cylinder. This often happens when one of the seals or gaskets develops a leak and lets the oil in. When the oil gets into the combustion chamber, it burns with the air and fuel blend, and produces the thick blue clouds from the back of your vehicle.
Assuming the oil is getting into the cylinder through a leak, the problem will not go away on its own. In fact, it’s likely to worsen as the leak becomes bigger. When that happens, the oil can damage the spark plugs and affect your acceleration. Definitely schedule a trip to your mechanic – preferably sooner rather than later.
When The Smoke Is Black
Thick plumes of black exhaust look worse than they really are. It’s normally caused by excess gas inside the engine during operation. Usually, the fuel within the combustion chamber burns completely. If there’s a surplus, it won’t burn cleanly and your tailpipe will produce sooty clouds of black smoke.
There are a number of potential causes for too much fuel finding its way into the cylinder. The fuel injector might be clogged, the air filter may be dirty, or a sensor may have failed. Allowing the problem to persist won’t usually lead to damage. However, it can lead to less fuel-efficiency and a decline in your engine’s performance.
White Smoke Signals Trouble
If you see clouds of white exhaust billowing from your car’s tailpipe, it’s probably time to call a towing company. This is normally caused by a coolant leak. The coolant gets into your engine and begins burning, producing the thick white exhaust. The problem is that your engine has a low tolerance for coolant leaks. It won’t take long before it overheats or sustains damage. You should have your car towed directly to your mechanic.
Drivers are often surprised to learn that white smoke is far worse than black. The key thing to remember is that the color of your car’s exhaust indicates the root cause of an assortment of possible problems. If you notice smoke coming from your vehicle’s tailpipe – whether it’s blue, black, or white – have your mechanic take a closer look.
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Tags: Car Maintenance, Car Repair, Tailpipe