Your car has a variety of ways to let you know that something isn’t right and one of those ways is through exhaust smoke. MotivWerks wants you to know about these possible issues you’ll see with exhaust problems.
More Smoke Than Usual Indicates Something Has Changed
If your car’s exhaust is working the way that it should, you really shouldn’t see your exhaust at all unless it’s cold outside. So, if you can see your exhaust plainly on a day that isn’t cool at all, that indicates that something in your exhaust system has changed, and possibly not in a good way. The next thing to look at is the color of the exhaust smoke.
Black Exhaust Can Mean the Fuel to Air Mix Is Off
Your car’s engine relies on a precise mix of fuel to air, sparked by your car’s spark plugs. That’s the basis of a combustion engine. If that fuel to air mix is off, your car’s engine might be burning more fuel than it should. This can cause big problems, including the possibility of an engine fire. Clouds of black exhaust smoke mean that you need to get to a trusted mechanic.
White Exhaust Smoke Can Mean Coolant Is Burning
Another crucial fluid in your car’s engine is coolant. Without coolant, your car isn’t going to get very far. White exhaust smoke typically happens when large amounts of coolant spray the engine. The worst of it is that this might mean a problem with your head gasket, which is a big problem. You’re likely not just seeing white smoke out the tailpipe, but you’re probably also seeing white smoke come out from under the hood and your car is likely overheating.
Oil Issues Can Turn Your Car’s Exhaust Blue
Blue exhaust also means that something is burning, and this time it’s oil. An oil leak anywhere in your engine can be a big problem, especially if it’s a significant leak. Oil is also flammable, so when it hits hot engine parts, it burns off leaving blue exhaust smoke to make its way to your tailpipe. An oil leak of this type can spell big trouble for your engine. You need to get to a mechanic before your engine seizes.
Any time you notice changes to your car’s exhaust, that’s something you need to address quickly. Contact us at MotivWerks in Chambersburg, PA and we can diagnose the issue accurately for you.