I have white smoke coming from my tail pipe I also have to put water in my car about every 3 days what could the problem be
I have to put water in my car about every 3 days for the last year now it died on me it started back up after I put water in the radiator it was not running hot but had the smell like it was over heating now today it has white smoke coming from the tail pipe what could this be
My car has an automatic transmission.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. Unfortunately, this appears to be a blown head gasket or significant coolant leak inside the motor. White smoke from the tail pipe is caused by coolant that is mixed with engine oil and is burned inside the combustion chamber. When you have to add coolant (or water as you’ve indicated) every few days, and the engine is overheating, this is typically the cause. This can be a very expensive repair, so before you decide on having repairs completed, you might want to have one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location to verify what repairs might be needed, so you can make an informed decision.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
White Smoke
It usually means that coolant is being burned in the engine, which means that something is drastically wrong. The most common cause of this is a blown head gasket, which can quickly lead to an overheating engine.
White Smoke
In extreme cases, you will need to replace your head gasket. At the first sign of white smoke you can try head gasket repair treatment to seal the leak before you do serious damage to your engine.
Vehicles often produce thin white smoke caused by water vapor and condensation in the exhaust pipe. However, if it`s not condensation, white exhaust smoke is typically caused by an engine coolant leak. This could mean a coolant leakage — going from the coolant system into the combustion chamber.
White or Gray Smoke from Exhaust – Just like if you see white smoke from under the hood, persistent white smoke usually indicates a coolant leak. If there`s only a little bit, it`s probably condensation. Blue Smoke from Exhaust – If you see blue or dark gray smoke, that`s an indication of burning oil.
If you notice smoke coming from your car`s engine, it could be a symptom of a failing water pump. The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant throughout the engine; if it fails, the coolant can overheat, causing the engine to smoke.
White or light gray smoke is usually associated with paper, straw, leaves, or wood.
Faulty fuel injector: Another possible cause of excessive white smoke from the exhaust pipe is a bad fuel injector. The injector can leak or become stuck open and deliver too much liquid fuel into the combustion chamber. The excess fuel causes thick white smoke to be produced and released from the exhaust pipe.
Thick white smoke coming out of the exhaust typically indicates a blown head gasket, a crack in the head, or a crack in the engine block. Cracks and bad gaskets allow the fluid to travel to places it shouldn`t be. If it travels, then the problems begin.
White Exhaust Smoke
White smoke billowing out of your exhaust means that coolant is likely leaking into the cylinders. This usually happens when there has been a breach in the head gasket, which makes the coolant create this white steam. Have it taken care of before the breach gets bigger and bigger.
One possible reason for white smoke coming from your car`s exhaust is that the engine is burning oil. This can happen if the oil level in the engine is low or if the oil seal is leaking. If you notice that your car is burning oil, you should take it to a mechanic to have it checked out.
ECU Error. Your Engine Control Unit (ECU) is responsible for the correct timing of the fuel injectors. As with having a faulty fuel injector, incomplete combustion due to incorrect timing results in a white smoke coming out your exhaust.
Can faulty spark plugs make your car blow white smoke out of the exhaust? Yes, they can.. Craig Nicol has it right.. Unburned fuel entering the exhaust can light off in the catalytic converter resulting in white, extremely acrid smoke..
The symptoms of too much car oil
If it is overfilled, the following may occur: Dense white smoke – If you drive your car and see plenty of thick, white exhaust smoke, excess oil may be burning within the engine block, although fluids such as antifreeze may also be the culprit.
If you don`t get it fixed soon, you will have damage to your catalytic converter(s). A clogged converter can lead to expensive replacement work. So if you see white smoke coming from your tailpipe, bring your vehicle into a shop right away.
This could happen because the head gasket has blown, the cylinder head is damaged or the engine block could be cracked. White smoke can also be a sign of fuel passing through the engine and reaching the exhaust without having been burned.
If your vehicle is revving inconsistently or your RPM gauge is up and down, this may be a sign your fuel injector needs a clean. A contaminated fuel injection system or worn fuel injector can often supply inconsistent amounts of fuel to the engine, resulting in poor performance. Misfiring.
Thick white exhaust smoke usually indicates a coolant leak, which could cause overheating and put your engine at a serious risk of damage. If this is the case, call our auto repair shop for an inspection immediately.
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.
Thick white exhaust smoke usually indicates a coolant leak, which could cause overheating and put your engine at a serious risk of damage. If this is the case, call our auto repair shop for an inspection immediately.
Light or thin white exhaust smoke is typically water vapor. You`ll notice it the first time you start your car, especially if it`s a cold day. This happens because condensation naturally collects in the exhaust system. Light or thin white exhaust smoke is common in vehicles.
White smoke from your exhaust almost always indicates a blown head gasket, and just like there is coolant mixed with your engine oil, there will also be engine oil mixed with your coolant.
White smoke from your exhaust almost always indicates a blown head gasket, and just like there is coolant mixed with your engine oil, there will also be engine oil mixed with your coolant.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I have white smoke coming from my tail pipe I also have to put water in my car about every 3 days what could the problem be
ANSWER : Hi there. Unfortunately, this appears to be a blown head gasket or significant coolant leak inside the motor. White smoke from the tail pipe is caused by coolant that is mixed with engine oil and is burned inside the combustion chamber. When you have to add coolant (or water as you’ve indicated) every few days, and the engine is overheating, this is typically the cause. This can be a very expensive repair, so before you decide on having repairs completed, you might want to have one of our professional mobile mechanics come to your location to verify what repairs might be needed, so you can make an informed decision.
Car is idling at high rpm’s and when the days are hot the car cranks but doesn’t turn on and also exhaust is smoking when i rev it
ANSWER : Hello – your symptoms suggest worn piston rings or valve stem seals (smoking), and a possible air leak in the intake, or idle air control valve sticking open (high idle). Both are signs of a higher-mileage engine with significant wear. I recommend an engine inspection performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.
I have white milk coming out of my exhaust pipe but I don’t see it mixing in my oil pan when I check my oil
ANSWER : In most cases, the white smoke is an indicator of coolant finding a way into the combustion chamber. This could happen through a damaged head gasket or a crack in the cylinder head or engine block. Most of the time, this would also be followed by milky oil or overheating problems. However, it could also be a problem with the EGR system, or an extremely rich fuel trim. The best thing to do is have a professional mobile mechanic complete a smoke coming from exhaust inspection, so they can pinpoint the source of your issues and recommend a repair.
Hi. I have a problem with my 86 regal. My 307 will shake and smoke a little every morning after the car has sat over night.
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like the needle and seat in the carburetor is not sealing off correctly and making the fuel drip over when the engine is sitting. Try pumping the throttle 2 times after you shut the engine off and then holding open the throttle for 1 minute. Then the next day, start the engine and see if you smell gas in the exhaust. If you do, then the carburetor needs the needle and seat replaced. If you do not, then the accelerator pump needs replaced in the carburetor. I recommend rebuilding the carburetor for best performance. If you need further assistance with your exhaust smelling like raw gas, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.
Water was spilled in the trunk which soaked the car battery. Car won’t start now. Does water destroy a car battery?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in about the concern with the BMW 320i. If the battery was submerged in water then it’s completely possible for the battery to short out and die. Your friend will need to have the battery replaced. Also be sure to get all of the water out of the trunk. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, help you guys out if you need assistance with replacing the battery. Good luck.
Brakes go to floor, I hear gurgling, and white smoke comes out of tail pipe
ANSWER : I think I know exactly what is happening. Right behind your brake master cylinder is where the power brake booster is located. This booster is acted upon by engine vacuum in order to make the pedal easier to press down.
Since the booster is acted upon by engine vacuum, this means that it is connected to the intake manifold of the engine. If the rear seal in the brake master cylinder has failed, this will allow brake fluid to enter the power brake booster and would be the reason the pedal travels all the way to the floor; the rear seal is preventing any hydraulic pressure from building up in the master cylinder.
With brake fluid inside the power brake booster, the intake manifold is able to inhale the brake fluid into the engine whenever the brake pedal is depressed. This would be the cause of the white smoke. I would recommend having the brake master cylinder replaced, and having the power brake booster replaced by a certified mechanic. YourMechanic offers mobile technicians to come perform services just like this at your home or office.
car was smoking replaced radiator a day before
ANSWER : If you request an engine overheating diagnostic the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. In the interim, of course it’s not recommended to drive the car if it is overheating because overheating can warp the cylinder head and/or engine block causing costly damage. The most common causes of overheating include low coolant level (including that due to leaks), a faulty thermostat (by the way, engine cooling system thermostats exposed to overheating must be replaced as the thermostat ITSELF is subject to damage from overheating), a plugged radiator, a faulty radiator pressure cap, collapsed hoses, non functioning cooling fans, and a faulty water pump or drive belt. Certain engine faults, such as a leaking head gasket or poor engine running condition can also cause overheating. Exhaust blockages, very underinflated tires, and transmission faults can also cause, or contribute to, overheating. If you request the recommended diagnostic, the mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
I have white smoke coming out of my exhaust pipe. Could it be a bad ccv?
ANSWER : White smoke makes me worry about the head gasket. If there is coolant getting into the combustion chambers, it makes a nasty smelling white smoke Burning coolant can have a very strong smell, from a sweet kind of odor to a harsh acrid smell that burns your eyes and is usually accompanied by overheating. If that’s what you have you need to check for head gasket or manifold gasket problems. Oil smoke can appear whitish-blue and has an oily smell to it. If you have oil smoke, you could have problems in your crankcase ventilation, valve stem seals, or piston rings. Burning oil will foul the plugs and lead to a misfire. You need to get the source of this smoke checked out. It will probably also be the source of your performance problem. If you contact Your Mechanic, you can have a technician come to your home or office to check out your BMW and advise you as to the next step.
