hi there...i recently had my car repaired and now i have a new problem. white smoke is coming from my exhaust pipe. my first thoughts were that somehow coolant was burning. i checked my radiator and it was completely full and my coolant resevoir seems to be normal as well. my oil levels are good and my engine doesnt overheat. i talked to a few mechanics and one said it could be steam meaning i have a water leak. he said that its possible water was leaking into my oil pan making my oil levels appear to be higher than they really are. another mechanic guessed it was either coolant or gas burning. i pray its not gas because that sounds dangerous. it didnt smell like burning gas to me. now a third mechanic is guessing that im burning oil. he said to just keep checking my oil and water levels. he said i should be fine just keeping the levels good but to cure the problem i would need to overhaul my engine. ive also been told i might have a cracked or blown gasket head. you could imagine this is leaving me pretty confused. i know close to nothing when it comes to engines so i dont even know where to begin. if anyone could offer some clarity or maybe a gameplan i would be extremely appreciative. Thanks very much.
2006-08-23 05:26:56 · 8 answers · asked by silversurfer89 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
White smoke is a sign of burning oil. If the smoke is black, your looking at fuel not being burned all the way. I would highly doubt that it is a steam issue. You engine would have lots of issues that you don't describe if it was coolant. I am guessing you have a oil leak somewhere. Don't panic though, it could be as easy as a loose oil filter, or bolt. I remember once my father had a horrible white smoke coming of his engine in his van. He took it down to the service center and the mechanic told him he needed a new engine. Well to make a long story short, it turned out to be a leaky oil filter that was dripping on a hot part of the engine and that was creating the smoke. My father won't go to the service center anymore after a huge mistake in the diagnosis.
I would venture to say that you should look at the obvious stuff first and don't make it more complicated than it needs to be, check your oil levels. Smell the white smoke--- does it smell of burnt oil? keep working it until you have a better idea-- then get good advice-- and please stay away from dealerships, brand name fix it shops i.e. Pep Boys and the like. All they want to do is what the book tells them to do--- sell overpriced parts you don't need.
2006-08-23 06:01:51 · answer #1 · answered by cedykeman1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the other 2 experts. This is probably leaking head gasket or cracked head. Pretty simple checks
-Check coolant level/pressure and color
-Check oil for a milky look. This would indicate a worse condition of a cracked block but I doubt this is your problem.
-Check your spark plugs (very simple). IF they are black and dirty looking that is normal. If one looks clean and shiny it is probably the cylinder that has a crack. 95% of the time this tell you everything.
-Use a cylinder leak-down tester (or your favorite mechanic). This will tell you if/which cylinder has a problem and if you watch your radiator hose can tell you where it is leaking.
Good luck!
2006-08-23 05:56:44 · answer #2 · answered by Drewpie 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take it to a mechanic so they can block test it and do a coolant pressure test.
If they have not carried out these tests,then do not listen to them.
Noone no matter how good a mechanic they are can diagnose this over the internet or by standing in front of the car guessing problems.
If it has a turbo.Water maybe linking through it.
If if if if ..........all the ifs in the world will not get it.
2006-08-27 02:39:32 · answer #3 · answered by Mark ABC 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
White smoke indicates water or anti freeze getting into the combustion side of the piston. Possible causes include head gasket , cracked head or cylinder
2006-08-23 05:30:04 · answer #4 · answered by BCRIDER 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Does the white smoke come out all of the time? Or just when you start it and for a few minutes there after?
If it comes out all of the time, BCRIDER is correct. This needs to be addressed asap.
If it only comes out at start up and for a few minutes, no worries. It is just condensation in the exhaust that is being heated up.
2006-08-23 05:42:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
coolant or water could be head gasket or even a cracked head or cracked block
2006-08-23 07:22:04 · answer #6 · answered by BIG DADDY 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to agree with cedykeman, it's oil smoke if it doesn't disspate quickly, and it smells bad.
2006-08-23 08:45:41 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
knocking under hood and white smoke from exhaust
2014-12-30 02:50:13 · answer #8 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋