Exhaust Smoke Colour And What It Means

You can learn a lot about the health and well-being of your car from the color of its exhaust. If it’s operating in tip-top shape, tailpipe emissions should be nearly undetectable. If exhaust smoke is visible, you likely have a real problem

White Smoke

Often happens when an engine burns coolant that has leaked into the combustion chamber. The following are the most common culprits:
• Blown head gasket
• Damaged cylinder head
• Cracked engine block

Blue or Gray Smoke

This is an indication of the vehicle burning oil, which means that oil is somehow leaking into your engine’s combustion chamber. Culprits are:
• Malfunctioning valve stem seal
• Failed piston rings

Black Smoke

It doesn’t always indicate impending doom. If it continues well after the car warms up, there’s cause for concern. If that’s the case, here are the likely culprits:

  • Clogged or dirty air filter:
  • Bad fuel pressure regulator
  • Leaky or clogged fuel injectors

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