Your car’s exhaust plays an important role. If it’s working properly, then there’s nothing you have to worry about. You can continue to head to your destination without giving it a second thought. However, when there’s something wrong, then finding out exactly what it is and getting it fixed can be beneficial.
When it comes to white smoke coming out of your exhaust, this could be an indication that something is wrong or it can be completely normal. Knowing the difference between the two will ensure that you get any potential issues taken care of before they cause you to get stranded on the side of the road.
If the white smoke is normal and nothing you should worry about, you should only see it on cooler days when you first start your engine. It should only last for about 30 seconds to one minute before it dissipates. If it lasts longer than that or you see it more often, there may be something wrong with your car. Below are some of the reasons you might have white smoke coming out of your exhaust.
Cracked Cylinder Head
If you have a cracked cylinder head, this will allow coolant to leak out of it. The crack doesn’t have to be overly large for coolant to seep through. It will then mix with the engine oil and contaminate it. The longer the crack remains, the more coolant will mix with the oil. White smoke is the first sign that there is a problem. If it’s allowed to progress, you may then notice a sweet smell with your exhaust that doesn’t go away.
Coolant Reservoir Tank Damage
Another way coolant can leak into your oil is if the reservoir tank gets damaged. This type of issue isn’t a common one, but it could happen. Ruling this out as a culprit is a good way to ensure that the exhaust coming out of your tailpipe isn’t white.
Oil Leak
If something happens to your piston rings or your valve seals, this could cause oil to leak into your engine and mix with the fuel. This can cause white or blue smoke to come out of your tailpipe. If you see this, you’ll need to get the issue fixed right away. If the oil isn’t properly lubricating your engine, this could cause it to seize, which is an incredibly costly fix.
Cracked Engine Block
The worst-case scenario that could occur with your car that would cause white smoke to come out of your exhaust is that you have a cracked engine block. This can be an incredibly costly fix to correct.
The best way to know for sure what is causing the white smoke to come out of your tailpipe is to take your car into a professional. They’ll be able to do an inspection and figure out the issue quickly and easily. They’ll also be able to fix the problem so you can head down the road.
If you have white smoke coming from your car, call McKinney Motor Company to get it fixed. The sooner you get the problem taken care of, the less it will cost you in the long run.
