smoke

ANSWER : External leaks could be from any of the oil seals on your engine and the cost to repair would depend on exactly where the leaks are located and how many seals need to be replaced. Certain seals are inaccessible unless the engine is removed, notably the rear crankshaft seal. Of course, as many leaks as possible should be repaired because leaking oil can damage external engine components such as rubber motor mounts. Oil leaking into the combustion chamber that is visible as smoke in the exhaust on start-up is typically due to failing valve stem oil seals. Those seals are replaceable. If you want the sources of the oil leaks identified and the repair estimated, simply request an oil leak diagnostic. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. With white smoke coming from the exhaust, the smell of coolant, and the (very likely although unmentioned) lowering of the coolant level, it is quite apparent that the coolant is making its way passed the head gasket and into the combustion chambers. Unless you have a cracked head, engine, or other serious damage, the head gasket is very likely the issue. Make sure you are adding coolant to compensate for the loss. Low coolant levels will not give you accurate temperature readings on your dashboard, as the sensor is located at the top and needs to be submerged in liquid to give you an accurate reading. As far as repairing the issue, replace the gasket again, and in the process inspect the old gasket for signs of failure or indications on what caused the leak the second time. If replacing the head gasket again does not solve the problem, you know you have a larger issue with the engine and can take further diagnostics from there. For more help from our technicians, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

ANSWER : Hello. If there is blueish smoke coming from the exhaust, then that is an indication that the engine is burning oil. This can come from the valve stem seals or from the piston rings. It can also come from the PCV system if it is not working correctly. If the vehicle is a 2015, then you may want to take it to the dealer if it is under warranty. I would also check the oil level is the oil have been changed recently. If the oil is overfilled, then this will occur. If you would rather not go to the dealer, a local expert from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the smoke and advise you on the repair.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The lowering of the engine oil is a sign that the oil is being burned in the engine. For the oil to get into the combustion chamber it must pass through a bad piston ring, a bad valve cover gasket, or a failed valve seal. The hotter the engine gets, the oil becomes thinner. The new oil may be seeping through components in which the previous oil was not able to pass. There is also the fact that the different oils lubricate and condition differently, and the sudden change may have lead to a premature deterioration of these gaskets and seals. The engine may need to be pulled in order to perform some of the possible repairs. Further testing will tell if this is needed. For more help resolving the issue, or obtaining a quote, contact our service department.

ANSWER : Hi there. In most cases, when white smoke blows out of the tail pipe, it’s an indicator of coolant being in the oil and lubrication system. It’s typically caused by a blown head gasket, which could also lead to significant engine damage. It’s best to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location to complete a smoke is coming from exhaust inspection so they can verify the source of the smoke and recommend the appropriate repairs.

ANSWER : From what you’ve described, it sounds like you have a head gasket leaking into the engine cylinder and then out of the exhaust. I recommend having a compression test done to confirm this and see where exactly the leak is. A coolant pressure test may also be necessary to pinpoint what exactly is leaking.

If you need assistance with these checks, feel free to contact a certified technician who can perform the necessary tests to diagnose the source of the smoke. An accurate repair can then be made once the problem has been pinpointed. Good luck.

ANSWER : I believe you have a bad thermostat. Symptoms of a bad thermostat are coolant boiling over and very tight upper radiator hose. The smell is going to be because of the antifreeze on the engine. No worries that will go away after having the car on for a while because it will burn off.

Replace your thermostat and I’m sure your problem will be fix. Consider YourMechanic if you would like to have a technician come to your home to diagnose the issue and replace the thermostat.

ANSWER : Hi there:

Typically white smoke is an indicator of coolant or liquid other than oil or fuel inside the combustion chambers. This can be caused by a blown head gasket (if you had an overheating issue recently) or simple air to fuel ratio issues caused by a mass air flow sensor or exhaust system sensors not working correctly. The best way to know for certain what’s causing these issues is to have a professional mechanic complete a smoke from engine or exhaust inspection.