Car Owners: Know About The Types of
Exhaust Smoke And What They
Mean For Your Car
Smoke emissions are directly related to car maintenance. If you love your car and keep it well maintained then your car won’t release any type of exhaust smoke. Regularly maintaining your car saves you time as well as money and your car is always in a good condition. A well-maintained car offers a smooth driving experience.
However, if you spot smoke coming out of your car’s exhaust pipe, then it has a message for you. However, the message depends upon the color of the smoke & the type of exhaust smoke. If the color of the smoke is either white, black, blue & grey then it’s time for visiting your garage for some repair and maintenance. How big the problem depends on the timing of the smoke. If your car is emitting smoke while being stationed, or while accelerating indicates a serious issue.
Whenever you spot different types of exhaust smoke coming out of your tailpipe, take it seriously. Carefully observe & identify the color and the timing of the smoke. Also check its thickness. If the smoke is thick and is of white, blue, grey & black in color, then immediately take it to your mechanic. Car mechanic will properly diagnose the issue.
Car Maintenance and Smoke
A car is like a friend of yours. It’s not just a vehicle but holds a sentimental value to you. Driving it gives you immense joy & pride. Therefore, your love for the car shouldn’t be limited to driving but extends beyond it. Your love for the car is directly proportional to how well you maintain it. Regular check ups help you deal with any issues before they create a bigger problem. A well maintained car is less likely to give you a type of exhaust smoke problem. The smoke emitted from your car needs urgent attention. A poorly maintained car will release different types of smoke and is likely to give you trouble. So keep your car well-maintained and stop any type of exhaust smoke coming out of your car.
Identifying the Smoke
If you see any type of exhaust smoke coming out of your car then immediately try to locate the source of the smoke. Check whether it’s coming from your engine or exhaust pipe. If you locate the source then check the timing of the smoke. Carefully check if it’s coming when you start your engine or when you accelerate. Once you locate the source and timing, then check the color & the thickness of the smoke. There are different type of exhaust smoke and If the smoke is white, black, blue, or gray in color and is thick, then your car needs immediate repair.
In this blog, we’ll try to understand different type of exhaust smoke and what it means for your car.
White Smoke
A thick white type of exhaust smoke is not a good sign for your car’s health. If you spot thick white smoke then immediately take the car to your regular mechanic. Thick white smoke is a result of coolant leakage. The coolant which keeps your engine cool and prevents it from overheating sometimes leaks directly into the engine. The cause for coolant leakage can be plenty. However, coolant can leak if the head gasket or cylinder head is broken or damaged. Even a slight crack in the engine block can cause a coolant leakage, ultimately resulting in the emission of thick white smoke.
Black Smoke
Black type of exhaust smoke is a clear sign of lower fuel efficiency. You’re frequently visiting the gas station & spending some extra money as your car is burning extra fuel. When a car burns extra fuel, it affects both the car’s performance and the owner’s wallet. Due to the following reasons your car is burning extra fuel:
- Your car’s combustion process isn’t optimal.
- Insufficient air in the engine
- Dirty or clogged air filter.
- Blockage or problem in sensors, fuel injectors and the fuel pressure regulator.
- Jammed fuel line.
Blue Smoke
Your car might emit blue smoke if the piston-rings which seal the combustion chamber are damaged. These piston-rings degrade with time which loosens the seal inviting the engine oil into the chamber. The engine oil then mixes with the fuel during combustion. As a result oil gets burned and the blue type of exhaust smoke is emitted from your exhaust pipe. Blue smoke can cause the following:
- Damaged the spark plugs
- Affect the overall efficiency of the combustion process
- Decrease power, acceleration, and fuel efficiency.
Gray Smoke
There are many causes for gray smoke emission. It could be excess oil burning or a damaged turbo charger. However, there are other reasons as well. Check your PCV valve. PCV stands for Positive Crankcase Ventilation, an emissions control device.
This device reduces any type of exhaust smoke emission by drawing unburnt fuel back from the engine to the top. The PPC valve loses its efficiency with time and a faulty PPV valve could be responsible for the blue smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe. Another reason for grey smoke might be the transmission fluid.
Conclusion
You should keep your car well-maintained. A well-maintained car gives you less trouble and provides you a smooth driving experience all the time. So, enjoy driving your car but it also needs your attention. Take it to your garage for regular check ups. Observe your car while driving. Spot any visible issues. Check for any leaks or type of exhaust smoke. And if you spot white, black, blue & gray smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, immediately take it to your car mechanic. The smoke coming out of your exhaust isn’t just smoke. It’s a clear sign of some issue. So, the next time you see a type of exhaust smoke coming out of your exhaust pipe, remember – your car has a message for you, and it’s time for maintenance, prompt attention and consultation with your trusted mechanic.
