Your car has an exhaust pipe for a reason. During the combustion process that powers the vehicle, a mixture of air and fuel is burned, then must be expelled. The used-up gaseous mixture is pumped out of the engine through a series of pipes and filters and is known as engine exhaust emissions.
During ordinary operation, the fuel-air mixture is odorless and colorless. There does not appear to be anything exiting the tailpipe when seen from behind a properly operating automobile. Smoke exhaust that is something other than odorless and colorless is a sign—a smoke signal, if you will—that the vehicle is not operating at peak efficiency. More than likely, there is a problem that requires attention.
Here are seven reasons you might be seeing smoke coming from your exhaust, and what to do about it.
1. You Are Experiencing Condensation
Let’s start with the best-case scenario. You start your car on a cold morning and wispy white smoke from the exhaust pipe puts a scare in you. If the emissions return to normal after a minute of the vehicle warming up, breathe a sigh of relief: You have just been introduced to the smoke vs. steam scenario.
On cold days, the gaseous fuel-air mixture being emitted from your exhaust pipe condenses into liquid while sitting in a cold vehicle. When the car starts up, heat is produced, turning the liquid into steam, which is the white smoke exhaust you are seeing in that case. Once the car warms up, the emissions return to their normal colorless gaseous state.
2. You Have an Oil Leak
White smoke exhaust not related to condensation is commonly the result of an oil leak somewhere in the system. Motor oil is a viscous fluid designed to lubricate moving parts like pistons and keep them running smoothly. When the oil leaks into the combustion chamber, it mixes with the fuel and air being ignited and gets blown out of the tailpipe along with them. The result is white or bluish-white smoke.
This is a problem because oil does not belong in the combustion chamber. It interferes with the process and corrodes spark plugs. Even worse, it reduces the amount of oil lubricating those moving parts. If the leak is fast enough or goes on for a long enough time, your car can run dangerously low on oil and cause the engine to seize up.
Oil can leak from a variety of locations under the hood, but the most common is at the joints when o-rings, gaskets and other seals fail to perform. Additives like BlueDevil Stop Smoke & Engine Repair is specially formulated to rejuvenate worn seals and prevent oil loss when a hard part repair isn’t an option. Simply pour half of a bottle into the crankcase with the engine off and drive the car for about 100 miles. The white smoke should disappear. The rest of the bottle can be saved for the next oil and filter change.
Oil leaks on a car are almost always the result of bad seals, but they can come from a variety of other sources, like a damaged oil filter or blown head gasket. Diagnosing the source can be tricky and might require the help of a trained mechanic.
3. You Have a Blown Head Gasket
Let’s talk a little more about a blown head gasket because that is a big issue. The head gasket sits on top of the engine block, separating it from the cylinder head. It is the barrier between the combustion chamber, where fuel and air are ignited, and the cylinder, in which pistons pump up and down, powered by the little explosions in the engine. The combustion chamber should contain only fuel, air and spark, and the cylinder only requires lubricating oil to keep the pistons moving smoothly inside it. The area around the combustion chamber is bathed in coolant to keep the entire operation from overheating.
When the head gasket is damaged or cracked, it allows fuel and heat into the cylinder, and oil and coolant into the combustion chamber, a potentially catastrophic combination on both ends. One sign the problem is the head gasket, and not something else, is the presence of smoke from the exhaust when accelerating more than when it is idling.
Oil and/or coolant burned in the combustion chamber creates the white smoke, indicating the head gasket must be repaired or replaced. Unfortunately, this is an expensive job—usually north of $1000—because nearly the entire engine must be disassembled to reach it. But it is necessary because the head gasket’s job is so critical that failure isn’t an option.
4. You Have a Coolant Leak
White exhaust smoke from a coolant leak is the easiest kind to diagnose because the antifreeze in coolant has a sweet smell that comes out of the tailpipe when coolant is leaking. A great way to verify that diagnosis is to check the coolant level in the coolant reservoir and observe whether it is low.
Coolant tends to leak from one of four sources:
- the seals connecting various parts of the cooling system
- the hoses that transport the coolant
- the reservoir itself
- a blown head gasket
If any kind of seal, like an o-ring or gasket is the culprit, and an actual repair isn’t possible, it can be fixed with a bottle of BlueDevil Coolant Stop Leak. The specially designed formula is guaranteed to seal leaks throughout your vehicle’s cooling system, stop antifreeze loss, and keep your vehicle in safe operating condition.
To use BlueDevil Coolant Stop Leak, with the engine cold, remove the radiator cap and start the engine, turning the heater up full blast. Slowly pour a bottle into the radiator. Restore the cap and let the engine run for 45 minutes so the product can circulate throughout the cooling system. BlueDevil Coolant Stop Leak bonds with materials in the seals, repairing cracks and restoring their vitality.
If the problem is a hose or reservoir, you can attempt to find the leak and replace the offending hose or reservoir, or take the vehicle to a mechanic. A blown head gasket is better left to the car care professionals and really advanced DIYers because so much can go wrong when disassembling and reassembling large parts of the engine. Either way, it is important get the issue fixed. Coolant leaking into the combustion chamber is a double problem for the engine—it can overheat from coolant loss and run rough from coolant in the fuel.
5. Your Car’s Computer Is Not Working Properly
A faulty engine control unit is good news and bad news when your car is smoking. It is good news because it is most often easily and inexpensively fixed. It is bad news because you probably can’t repair it yourself.
When the engine control unit gets out of whack, it sends bad information to the fuel injectors, and they squirt fuel into the combustion chamber incorrectly—either the wrong amount or at the wrong time. The result is unburned fuel that causes exhaust smoke.
If the computer goes haywire, there is one tactic you can try to reset it—disconnect and reconnect the battery. It’s a bit like turning off your laptop when it has a glitch: Sometimes it just works. If that doesn’t resolve the problem, a trip to a mechanic is in order for a diagnostic test and reprogramming. Few DIYers have the expensive diagnostic equipment necessary hanging around in their garages.
6. Your Car’s Fuel Injectors Are Bad
Fuel injectors can go bad even if the computer is working well. A bad fuel injector can be replaced relatively easily by disconnecting the battery and removing the fuel rail, which houses the injectors, from the intake manifold. Before installing new injectors, dip their tips in engine oil for a better seal.
7. You Have a Cracked Engine Block
Along with a blown head gasket, this is the nightmare scenario. A cast-iron engine block is designed to withstand the extreme heat and cold, rattling, shaking and pounding that every engine endures, but sometimes the excessive heat or cold is just too much for it.
Engine blocks can crack in different ways and places, but often they involve coolant leaking into the combustion chamber and producing white smoke. A cracked engine block should be last on the diagnostic list, but if every other possibility is eliminated, it should be examined.
If it isn’t financially feasible to replace the engine, BlueDevil Radiator and Block Sealer bonds with the cast iron, as well as other metals, and seals blocks permanently to keep your car on the road. With the engine cold, remove the radiator cap and start the engine, turning the heater up full blast. Slowly pour a bottle into the radiator. Restore the cap and let the engine run for 45 minutes so the product can circulate throughout the cooling system. Top the system off with clean water or antifreeze once the engine cools back down.
There are other, less common, reasons smoke is coming from your exhaust, all of which are threats to the proper functioning of the vehicle. Whatever the cause, getting it fixed sooner rather than later will ensure your car or truck continues to run properly.
BlueDevil Products can be found at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, Parts Authority, Auto Value, Bumper to Bumper and other major auto parts retailers.
BlueDevil Products can be found on Amazon.com or at AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O’Reilly Auto Parts, NAPA, and other major auto parts retailers.
28 responses to "7 Reasons There Is Smoke Coming from Your Exhaust"
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My ml350 emits white smoke from the tailpipes when you start the car and continues to smoke even after warming up, but when I drive the car for some time, say 20 minutes, the white smoke stops coming out. What could be the cause?
Charles-
Thank you for asking about your Mercedes Benz. White smoke billowing from the exhaust pipe would be one of the tell-tale signs of a blown head gasket. Is the vehicle overheating at all? Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My Lincoln Corsair recently messaged me that the engine coolant is over temp. And now there is white smoke rolling out of the tail pipes. it was driven 3 miles and back. what could cause this?
Dena-
Thank you for asking about your Lincoln Corsair. Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
I recently had my head gasket changed and new coolant replaced but after I drive for a bit white smoke comes out exhaust and smells a bit aswell. And just recently found out the car has no oil now what can this be?
When I add more revs there’s usually more white smoke
Cal-
Are you saying the vehicle has lost all of it’s oil without any visual trace? Have you had to add any water/coolant since the head gasket was replaced? Do you know if the heads were sent off to be smoothed? It may be best to bring the vehicle back to the shop that did the work to inquire about the oil and smoke out of the tail pipe issue. More than likely, the issues are related to the head gasket.
Thank you!
-BDP
My Chevy Malibu has had two spark plugs with oil around the threads and oil in two holes on the engine block nothing seems to be issumatic other than when I was speeding up on a cold engine the engine released a large amount of white smoke out of the exhaust than stopped after I released the gas pedal. I also had a puff of white smoke when the engine was running at a medium temperature not to hot but in the middle of the gauge. What seems to be wrong with my engine I’ve only had the car for 2k miles and it’s a 1997 Chevy Malibu
Colton-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Malibu. Oil leaking onto the spark plugs could be attributed to worn valve guide seals or o-rings. Based on your description, we recommend using the BlueDevil Stop Smoke & Engine Repair. As long as the piston rings are leaking, you would be a good candidate for the product.
Thank you!
-BDP
my car toyota tercel 1994 exhaust lot of smoke when start cool engine, also smoke when accelerate in first, and them second shift after stop red light. I smell smoke inside my car. My car its standard transmission.
Robert-
Thank you for asking about your Toyota Tercel. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant. Does the engine seem to be overheating? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
08 honda accord, replaced the spark plugs, alternator and battery. The cars heat works well, all lights work, not over heating. It’s draining oil when parked and billowing dirty white smoke from tailpipe that smells of burnt rubber? It will drive, but it’s a little shaky almost like it wants to die but, when I step on gas it picks up and don’t die. Do you know what this possibly could be?
Missy-
Thank you for asking about your Honda Accord. It would be difficult to say exactly where the leak is coming from. Unfortunately, it could be a number of different things, such as a blown head gasket, warped/cracked heads, leaking piston rings, leaking valve guide seals, leaking o-rings, etc. It would be worth having the vehicle inspected by a certified ASE mechanic to get a better idea on possible solutions.
Thank you!
-BDP
Good day, I noticed white smoke from my Toyota avensis exhaust and the oil is reducing . What can I do. Thanks
Adedeji-
White smoke/steam coming out of the exhaust pipe would indicate a water leak. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My truck, 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L was running great. Left my house picking up speed for highway then lost some power, shaking, and died. After a few cranks I got it started and back home. The computer on the truck says PO121, Throtal position sensor. Over past few days have cleared computer 3 times. Still says P0121
Cliff-
Thank you for asking about your Dodge Ram. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? In addition to your description, do you also have smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
Why do I have smoke coming from my 2013 Chevy Cruze tale pipe after I done put my turbo on my car
Shanay-
Thank you for asking about your Chevy Cruze. It actually isn’t uncommon to have smoke coming out of the tail pipe after replacing a blown turbo, as excess oil is dumped into the exhaust system due to the turbo being blown. The smoke can last several hours, however, it should eventually dissipate.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 2016 Murano with white smoke coming from the exhaust. I’m losing oil but no loss of antifreeze and no overheating. The smoke used to come out at startup now while driving and the car seemed to be putting at times. Do I need an engine?
Barbara-
Thank you for asking about your Nissan Murano. Have you noticed any drivability issues? Are you experiencing a misfire or are any codes popping up on the dashboard? The BlueDevil Stop Smoke & Engine Repair is intended to stop exhaust smoke, resulting from burning oil. Based on your description, you may be a good candidate for the product.
Thank you!
-BDP
I have a 1989 bmw 520i. I have 2 main issues, my first issue is that i have an external oil leak. My other issue is that i have white smoke blowing out of my exhaust. The oil leak is near the intake manifold but iam not exactly sure where it is coming from. Is it possible that the oil leak is causing the white smoke? Because that is the only symptom my car has for the white smoke. All my gaskets where recently changed so i find it hard to believe that any of them are damaged.
Omar-
Thank you for asking about your BMW 520i. White smoke/steam would indicate that water/coolant are burning. A blue smoke/steam would indicate that oil is burning. If it is indeed white smoke/steam, the two issues you are experiencing may not be related. Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
my n42 bmw engine does not smoke on start up but blows white smoke on hard acceleration for sometimes and stop.
And also when I drive slowly in town for long it gives white smoke.
Please what might be the cause.
Justice-
Have you noticed a loss of water/coolant? Does the engine seem to be overheating at all? Please contact our technical support line at 888-863-0426 so that we can get a little better understanding of the vehicle’s condition and be able to make any appropriate recommendations.
Thank you!
-BDP
My uncle’s old Ford Freestyle is smoking from the front of the vehicle. It’s fine at first, but when it’s driven for a mile or two it starts smoking. There is a loss of coolant. He has added it multiple times this month and it just keeps running out again, and the smoking persists no matter how much coolant is added.
Ash-
Thank you for asking about your Uncle’s Ford Freestyle. Based on your description, we’d recommend having the vehicle inspected to diagnose where the coolant leak is coming from. Having to add coolant on a regular basis can become expensive very quickly, so it would be best to pinpoint the location of the leak and have the damaged component replaced.
Thank you!
-BDP
My car toyota vitz produces black smoke when ignited but stops producing smoke when in motion. Help detect the mechanical problem.
Solomon-
A black smoke coming out of the exhasut pipe on start up would typically indicate that the fuel/air mixture is too rich, meaning too much fuel or too little air is mixing. This would be caused by leaking fuel injectors, bad air filters or faulty fuel pressure regulator. It would be worth having the issue diagnosed and addressed to avoid a more serious problem and help prolong the life of the engine.
Thank you!
-BDP