2001, f150, smoke coming out of exhaust pipe, why?

Question

my 2001, f150 is exiting smoke out of the exhaust pipe, why?

the smoke seems to be light white. it starts when i drive up a moutain. the smokes is coming out from the bottom of the the engine, near the passenger side. the temperature reading does not go up and stays steady normal. the engine runs ok and does not loose power.

Answer 1

If it's black then it's fuel, if it's blue then it's oil, if it's white then it's water/coolant.

Answer 2

You need to look at the color of the smoke to determine what the problem is. Most likely, I'll go with white smoke. A leak in the head gasket. Blue? Then I'll go with a bad ring or a vavle guide. Black? Then a problem with the fuel system, like a fouled injector. If you would have a problem here, you should be getting an error code that you could have read to find the problem. good luck.

Answer 3

The F150 did have exhaust recalls. If this applies to your truck it is a free fix at a Ford dealership.
Check here:
www.nhtsa.dot.gov

If not part of a recall, here is a standard idea of what the problem may be.
Blask smoke - burning fuel
Blue smoke - burning oil

Also, go to autozone or advanceauto or any other major auto store and they will likely run a diagnostic test for no charge.

Answer 4

YEa, change your oil, make sure your catalyic converters aren't shot the hell, mine were and everyime time I take off a small cloud would come out, after i got new ones, no smoke since.

Answer 5

I agree, more info is needed to properly diagnose the problem.
What color smoke, what size engine.

Answer 6

burning oil or water??? most likely head gasket or you have lost an oil ring in one of the cyl

Answer 7

More info as to color of smoke, and as importantly, when it does it!

Answer 8

Andy's right