Any kind of smoke, the white smoke that is discharged on the exhaust pipe for example, is definitely a sign that there is a problem with your car.
The severity of the problem may vary depending on the type of smoke. This problem could have many causes. So, in this article, we will try to give you an idea of the root causes of the white smoke problem and what is the best way to eradicate this disturbing problem.
What does white smoke mean?
White smoke can be an insignificant problem or it can be a rather serious one and we can realize the gravity of the situation by identifying the thickness of the smoke. White smoke is the result of condensation that accumulates inside the exhaust system.
So if it is thin in the form of vapor you should not worry, because the smoke will disappear quickly. On the opposite pole, if the smoke is thicker, then you should worry.
Thick smoke generally comes from problems with the engine cooling plant, which could lead to many other more serious issues, such as damaged head gasket , engine block breakage, repairs that will not be cheap at all.
In this situation it is recommended not to overlook the problem and to urgently visit the mechanic. Leaks of coolant, even small ones, can lead to damage to the car.
What’s your car trying to tell you when it’s discharging white smoke through the exhaust
Injection pump defects and injectors
If your car is a diesel and is eliminating a lot of white smoke when the engine starts, it means that the injection pump and injectors must be checked. Checking them or modifying them on their own is not recommended, as this task requires a lot of skills.
Plus, your car needs to be checked as soon as possible by a mechanic. The fact that your car eliminates a lot of white smoke on the exhaust pipe can be a sign of even more serious problems.
This may mean a failure of the fuel pump or, as I said above, problems with the cylinders, the gaskets or even a crack in the engine block. Solving such faults is costly and it is preferable to deal with the problem as quickly as possible.
Coolant leaks
Drained coolant may be a reason why the eliminated smoke is white. The presence of this type of white smoke on the exhaust pipe occurs when water or antifreeze penetrates the cylinders as a result of overheating of the engine and subsequent disposal of the gaskets, and the engine tries to burn them alongside the fuel.
Or, if the car has no coolant, it can heat up and it could discharge the smoke that will of course be white. For this reason, the temperature of the car is also very important.
Third-party problems
More than once , one can observe the discharge of white smoke while we are driving , which could be an indicator of quite serious problems, whose repairs will be quite expensive.
Some of the issues might be : when one of the engine cylinders, gasket or fuel filter is damaged or the engine is clogged or cracked, white smoke will be discharged in large quantities, and replacing these parts can be very expensive.
The problem in such situations is that you can not postpone the repair nor can you find a provisional solution. As time goes on, they get worse, and the cost of repairs goes up immediately.
The maintenance of your car will help you identify such a problem in its early stages and thus will also help you save some money.
How can you fix the white smoke problem ?
To solve this you can either go to a mechanic or if you have mechanical knowledge and have carried out repairs to the car before, you can do it yourself.
Step 1: Check the intake gasket
The intake gasket is the first component you need to check if white smoke comes out of the exhaust pipe. Inside the vehicle there is a gasket that seals the cylinder head intake manifold. These components have the role of distributing the combustion mixture together with the coolant to the inlet.
These ports will be placed at the end of the cylinders. In conclusion, if it deteriorates, the coolant will enter the combustion chamber, creating white smoke while driving. As a result, drivers must remove the intake manifold and examine the intake manifold. If there are leaks or rust, you have found the problem
Step 2: Examine the cylinder head gasket
The cylinder head gasket also needs special attention. Don’t forget to do this step only if the intake gasket works. This is the part of the vehicle that seals the cylinder head to prevent coolant from reaching it.
Any leaks or damage in this part facilitates the coolant entering the gasket. In short, white smoke will appear on the exhaust pipe. If this component is OK, then proceed to check the cylinder.
Step 3: Look for any cracks in the cylinder head
Don’t forget to check the cylinder head as well. The cylinder head is that part of the car that is prone to breaking in overheating conditions. This component is essential because it connects to the engine block and the cylinder head gasket. If this component is broken or damaged in any way, you must replace it.
Frequently asked questions about white smoke emissions
Why does my car emit white smoke through the exhaust pipe when it starts?
White smoke can be caused by several reasons. But if white smoke comes out from the start of the car, it could be for these reasons:
- A cracked or deformed cylinder head;
- Cylinder head gasket error;
- Cracked engine block.
- One of the most common causes, the cracked engine block can allow coolant to leak inside the combustion chamber of the engine and cylinders, which is very dangerous and requires special care.
What causes the white smoke when you accelerate?
The answer is either the transmission fluid or the burnt coolant. In the case of transmission oil, the engine draws fluid through a vacuum hose, which leads to the white color of the smoke.
The exhaust will also smell of burnt oil. If the white smoke is from the coolant, your car definitely has a crack in the cylinder head or a problem with the cylinder head gasket.
In this case, you can test the cooling system to see if the coolant is low or the engine has overheated. If it is low, you can add the required amount of fluid to restore the level.
Why does white smoke from the exhaust smell like gasoline?
Drivers need to understand the concept of car smoke. It is usually water vapor or steam. For this reason, you will have water dripping from the exhaust pipe. Drivers can also see fuel water or a leak in the cylinder head gasket.
You may think it’s normal, but this is how the engine fails and pushes the raw fuel out. In these cases, the car will have difficulty running , and drivers will smell crude fuel. To remedy this problem, check the fuel and replace it if necessary.
What causes white smoke to escape when the car is stationary ?
If the car emits white smoke when idling or is stopped, then there may be oil leaks inside. This is very easy to recognize, because there is a difference between igniting the gasoline / air mixture and the gasoline / air / oil mixture.
This problem should be dealt with as soon as possible because the longer the oil stays inside, the more damage it will cause to the spark plugs and injectors, which will then need to be replaced.
Why does white smoke come out when it’s cold?
In the cold season, white smoke can be quite normal, but there are exceptions. Continuous white smoke is one of them. If you have a diesel engine, white smoke can be an unburned fuel or coolant that passes through the engine. But in most cases, it’s about the response time of the injectors and controlling the amount of fuel injected.
Conclusion
The white smoke from the exhaust pipe is something that drivers should not ignore. Therefore, you should not overlook such a problem because it leads to severe complications not only for you as a driver but also for other drivers. For this reason, it is recommended to always take care of the car you own.