what does white smoke coming from my tailpipe in my car mean? Its an old corolla with 250,000 miles on it?

Answer 1

If it does it all the time, engine coolant may be leaking into the cylinders. Check to see if you are losing coolant and if the smoke smells sweet like antifreeze steaming.

Answer 2

Is it smoke or steam? (It can be hard to tell sometimes) If it's steam, then it means you've either got water leaking from the head gasket into the cylanders, OR the petrol/gas isnt being burnt efficiently and the combustion is causing water to be formed. If it's smoke then it most likely means that the car is burning oil. Obviously this is not good because it means that oil is leaking into the cylanders and being burnt with the petrol/gas. This is most likely caused by enginer seals designed to keep the oil OUT of the cylanders becoming cracked and not doing their job properly. If the car is making a "rough, shuddery" sort of noise when it idles, Id suggest (based on the information you've given here) that the piston rings (The seals around the pistons that slide into the cylanders) are breaking down. If this is the case you need to get it looked at as soon as possible, because if they break down altogether, it is a LOT of work to repair the damage caused.

Answer 3

OK all kidding aside, if the "smoke"only lasts for a while then it is normal because as the engine and exhaust heat up the condensation turns to vapor and you get a white "smoke" if it continues you may have a leaking head gasket on the intake side (The exhaust side would pressurize the cooling system) to check this, while your engine is cold, check the radiator, if it is up to the top, no worries, if not add fluid and check it again in the morning if it is down get the head gasket replaced if not revert to the first part of this answer..........it is normal

Answer 4

Could mean that the engine has 250,000 miles on it LOL...it could also be moisture within the engine, which- could be the Iessor of the worse diagnosis for your problem...which, is probably a leaking cylinder-head gasket that allows for air and condensation/moisture to get into your cooling or exaughst system. The other part I hate to tell you, worst case scenario, and the more serious of the diagnosis is...it could be also be a sign of a crack in the cylinder head or, more likely the engine block itself! At that mileage, it wouldn't be uncommon. Only a visit to the mechanic can give you the definites on that one!

Best of luck!

Answer 5

Hi, in general, when you first start your car in temperature range -ve 20ºC to +ve 30 ºc you will get a white smoke(Water vapour) and when the engine reaches its working temperature, you must not see any sign of smoke. So make sure your engine is reaching it's working temperature.

If after reaching working temperature, it still has smoke(whether pale blue or white), this means that you need a general engine maintenance(Meaning renewal of: head gasket, valve gasket, flat bearings, oil seals....control of overhead cylinder, cylinders and piston rings/replacement if necessary (sometimes reboring is imposed on cylinders--implying new pistons and piston rings(Oversize) or replacement of sleeves--keeping your old pistons with new piston rings) and normally engine general maintenance schedule is performed every 200 000 Km ± 100 000 KM (120 000 Miles ± 60 000 miles)(Depending of course on the way the engine has been maintained(Use of ordinary or synthetic oil---regular maintenance schedule) and operated(Kind of normal driving or sport driving).

Answer 6

I had to comment on Holden's answer too, I just was laughing at that, (especially since I have a white 94 Corrolla) I'm going to look at my car in a different light now! I too, have a small amount of smoke that comes from my car when I start it up, haven't been able to tell if it's a sweet smell or not.

caroline

Answer 7

If it's blueish white and stinks like something burning, then it's oil.
Coolant smoke is white but dissipates very rapidly and really doesn't have an offensive smell.

If it's never been overhauled, it probably has cracked/worn valve seals and worn oil rings and a lot cylinder wear.

Time for a new engine.

Answer 8

i own a repair shop,,and the smoke it could be steam or oil smoke or gas smoke gas will be black soot like,because it may be running to rich,oil can be caused by the mileage it has on it,and white smoke can be a leaking head gasket on it,causing it to make a steam like smoke ,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 9

IT is GONNA BLOW! GET OUT NOW! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY, GET AWAY FROM THE CAR NOW!


Post Edit- I just had to comment on Holden's response. That is absolutely hilarious! Funnier than crap, and very ingenious.

Answer 10

Water seeping into the combustion chamber. Maybe a faulty head gasket.