For any car owner, seeing thick and heavy amounts of white smoke coming out from their exhaust pipe is a major red flag. More often than not, it indicates that not all is well with how their vehicle is operating. After enough condensation has accumulated within the driver’s exhaust system, white smoke can appear. Although it’s likely not a big issue if the smoke is fairly thin, a thicker cloud of smoke could be a telltale sign of any number of issues within the car. Since this is the area where smoke and vapours are emitted from the vehicle, it’s essential to make sure these emissions are normal and aren’t a sign of a more serious—and potentially dangerous—problem.
Here’s what you should know about what causes white exhaust smoke, and how to prevent and fix the issue.
What Causes White Exhaust Smoke, and Its Possible Effects When Untreated
One of the biggest underlying causes of thick white exhaust smoke involves the engine’s coolant, particularly when it leaks. This often shows itself when the car is running after already being started, and smoke continues to appear. When this happens, it often indicates that something is amiss with the coolant used, or that not enough of it is present. Should coolant levels be low, and if the smoke is accompanied by a sweet smell, an internal coolant leak has likely occurred.
Any coolant issue that goes untreated could also be a sign that the head gasket is blown, and the cylinder head is cracked. Another possible root cause those wanting careers in the auto industry to watch for is faulty timing with fuel pumping injection, or when it breaks. Should the fuel injector be faulty or broken, it causes a mistimed entry of the fuel into the chamber, leading to lots of white smoke being emitted. Additional causes of heavy white smoke can include engine clogging or a damaged fuel filter.
What Those With Careers in the Auto Industry Should Know About Fixing This Issue
When attempting to troubleshoot the causes of white exhaust smoke, one of the first things a mechanic should do is check the vehicle’s coolant levels. In addition, several other preventative measures must be taken. These include taking a look at the intake gasket inside the car, inspecting the state of the head gasket, and examining the cylinder heads for cracking.
Should the cylinder head be cracked, this indicates that the coolant has found its way into the combustion chamber or multiple cylinders. If a coolant leak has occurred, the engine’s oil will likely be contaminated. Furthermore, if a crack is present in the engine block, this must be addressed by taking half the engine out of the vehicle first before fixing the problem.
Those wanting to become a mechanic can expect these kinds of responsibilities to be placed on their shoulders, as the driver should not change the injection on their own without the proper expertise. Ultimately, the options owners have here are to have the engine rebuilt or replaced outright. Should these fail, a new vehicle will be a necessary purchase for them. Above all, any issue with white exhaust smoke must be addressed by a mechanic as soon as possible. Otherwise, repair costs may become more expensive for the owner, and larger problems can develop within the vehicle.
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