Dodge Stratus Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection at your home or office.

Our certified mobile mechanics come to you 7 days a week between 7 AM and 9 PM.

Estimate price near me

Service Location

Customer Ratings

(223)

How A Diagnostic Works

Instantly book a certified mobile mechanic to come to you

Mechanic diagnoses the problem and quotes necessary repairs

Your vehicle is ready to go

Fair, upfront & transparent pricing for all services

Our certified mobile mechanics can come to you now.

Customer Ratings

(223)

Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection Service

How much does a Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection cost?

On average, the cost for a Dodge Stratus Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection is $95 with $0 for parts and $95 for labor. Prices may vary depending on your location.

CarServiceEstimateShop/Dealer Price
1996 Dodge StratusL4-2.0LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$114.99Shop/Dealer Price$124.99 - $132.49
2004 Dodge StratusV6-2.7LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1996 Dodge StratusL4-2.4LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
2001 Dodge StratusV6-3.0LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$104.99 - $112.48
1996 Dodge StratusV6-2.5LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.02 - $112.55
1999 Dodge StratusL4-2.0LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$94.99Shop/Dealer Price$105.01 - $112.52
1995 Dodge StratusL4-2.4LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$109.87 - $117.28
2000 Dodge StratusV6-2.5LService typeSmoke from engine or exhaust InspectionEstimate$99.99Shop/Dealer Price$110.24 - $117.94
Show example Dodge Stratus Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection prices

You can learn a lot about the health and well being of your car from the color of its exhaust. If it’s operating in tip-top shape, tailpipe emissions should be nearly undetectable. If exhaust smoke is visible, you likely have a real problem, and one that will require a skilled auto technician to remedy.

First, an important note on engine smoke:

Smoke rarely comes from the engine bay, and if it does, the issue is typically critical already. Smoke is not a good indicator that some malady is brewing within the engine; the color of your car’s exhaust is a better diagnostic tool. If there is a problem within the engine that produces smoke, that smoke will exit the engine through the exhaust.

A leaking valve cover gasket might produce smoke caused by oil dripping on a hot manifold. If the leak is large enough, you will likely see the oil dripping on your driveway or garage floor.

A fire under the hood would produce smoke, but flames would follow that, resulting in a very dangerous situation. If this ever happens, quickly exit and move far away from the car.

Again, smoke from the exhaust is nearly always the type of smoke detected in a diagnostic situation, not engine smoke. Read on for common issues that can cause exhaust smoke.

Common causes of exhaust smoke, according to its color:

While the presence of exhaust smoke can indicate a serious car malady, there is a silver lining: the color of that tailpipe plume can give an indication of what might be wrong, which helps to generate a quick and efficient diagnosis.

If the exhaust smoke is black:

Black exhaust doesn’t always indicate impending doom. If your car emits a little black smoke at start-up, but it clears up as the engine warms to operating temperature, don’t worry – that’s normal for some cars. If it continues after the car warms up, there’s cause for concern. If that’s the case, here are the likely culprits:

  • Clogged or dirty air filter: An essential part of a vehicle’s fuel system, an air filter stops airborne contaminants from getting sucked into car’s engine, where they can clog up the works. The remedy is simple: replace the filter.

If the problem persists, it’s an indication that your vehicle’s air-to-fuel ratio is askew – specifically, it is burning too rich or more fuel than air. Two of the most common reasons for this are a malfunctioning fuel pressure regulator or leaky or clogged fuel injectors.

  • Bad fuel pressure regulator: A vehicle’s fuel system is designed to work within a specific range of pressure, which is controlled by a fuel pressure regulator. If the regulator is on the fritz, the pressure will fluctuate outside of the system’s specified range. If it falls too low, there may not be enough fuel reaching the engine to start it. Too much pressure may result in over-fueling, which can make your engine run rough and deliver poor fuel mileage, among other things. The remedy is to replace the fuel pressure regulator.


  • Leaky or clogged fuel injectors: Fuel injectors are small electro-mechanical devices used to spray a predetermined amount of atomized gasoline (a mist of gasoline) into a vehicle’s intake manifold, which is directly in front of the intake valve. The gas is drawn into the combustion chamber and mixed with a predetermined amount of oxygen to optimize the efficiency of the burn or combustion event. The remedy is to repair the fuel injectors.

If the exhaust smoke is white:

Does the exhaust smoke quickly dissipate after leaving the tailpipe? If so, it is probably the result of condensation building up within your car’s exhaust system. This is a common sight when cars, even modern ones, are first started in the morning. If it continues well after start-up, then you may have serious trouble. White exhaust smoke often happens when an engine burns coolant that has leaked into the combustion chamber. The following are the most common culprits:

  • Blown head gasket: This is not so great news, but your engine’s structural integrity has most likely not been compromised, so it’s not ruinous. An engine essentially consists of an engine block and a cylinder head. The block is where the cylinders and coolant passageways are located, and the head is where the valves and rocker arms reside. The head gasket is placed between the two to seal the connection. If it is damaged or compromised, coolant can find its way into the combustion chamber. This is a costly, but fixable, issue.


  • Damaged cylinder head: This fix is more of a Greek tragedy. Most of the explosive action happens in the cylinder head, where the combustion chamber is located. A cracked or extremely warped cylinder head will cause the engine to lose compression and misfire. Why? There’s too much heat. Overheating puts undue stress on all of an engine’s metal components, especially the cylinder head, which is at the center of the heat production in a car. Excessive heat, normally caused by a cooling system failure, can cause the head gasket to fail, which in turn can cause the cylinder head to crack as components warp and pressure builds. This is not an easy fix. Heads have very precisely milled surfaces to provide a smooth and flush fit with all the connecting parts. You’re better off replacing the head altogether. Depending on the age and value of your car, you might consider buying a new vehicle.


  • Cracked engine block: Call a crash cart: your car engine is dead. As we said above, the block houses the cylinders and their components inside a cooled and lubricated crankcase. It’s cast from one piece of metal – typically iron or aluminum – to be extremely strong and sturdy. It also supports the rest of the engine’s components. Cracked blocks are virtually impossible to repair. An engine swap is the only reliable remedy, but that can be extremely expensive and thus sometimes not worth the investment. Depending on the age and value of your car, you may want to consider cutting your losses and buying a new car.

If the exhaust smoke is blue or gray:

Thick blue or gray smoke is an indication of the vehicle burning oil, which means that oil is somehow leaking into your engine’s combustion chamber. Burning oil like this can cause a wide range of issues from reduced fuel economy to less-than-stellar acceleration. There may also be an increase in hydrocarbon emissions, as well as damage to the catalytic converter.

  • Malfunctioning valve stem seal: Valve stem seals regulate the amount of oil applied to the valve stem interface, which is then used to lubricate the valve guide and ultimately the combustion chamber. The remedy is to replace the seal (an often costlier fix that involves a partial rebuild) or rebuild or replace the engine. Valve seals normally fail due to a clearance problem between the valve and the valve guide in the cylinder head. When they become loose, the valve is able to “rock” side to side in the bore and thus hogs out the seal. A cylinder head rebuild or replacement is often the recommended fix.


  • Failed piston rings: Failed piston rings (or loose piston-to-bore clearance) is more rare of an issue than malfunctioning valve guide seals, but it still happens from time to time.

The telltale sign of a valve guide seal problem or a piston (or piston ring) issue is when the smoke happens. If you are sitting at a stop for 30 to 60 seconds and as soon as you begin to throttle, the car lets out a puff of bluish grey smoke (and then clears up), that’s a dead ringer for a valve guide issue. If you see smoke only under heavy acceleration, that is indicative of a piston or piston ring problem.

What to expect:

A top-rated mobile mechanic will come to your home or office to determine the source and cause of the smoke, and will then provide a detailed inspection report that includes the scope and cost of the necessary repairs.

How it's done:

The mechanic will run the engine and test drive the car, if needed. They will check the fuel system, check for oil or coolant leaks, and then check the computer system to find any engine management fault codes.

How important is this service?

It depends on the source and cause of the smoke. Given the number of variables outlined above, costs can vary quite a bit. By taking care of the issue expeditiously, you may save yourself a bundle down the road before whatever issue is at the root of the smoke worsens. Book a mechanic to perform a thorough inspection as soon as possible.

Fast and easy service at your home or office

Backed by 12-month, 12.000-mile guarantee


Meet some of our expert Dodge mechanics

Real customer reviews from Dodge owners like you.

Excellent Rating

(223)

Rating Summary
201
16
2
0
4
201
16
2
0
4

Ira

36 years of experience
259 reviews
Ira
36 years of experience
Dodge Stratus L4-2.4L - Smoke from engine or exhaust - Valrico, Florida
Great mechanic and very friendly

Genaro

13 years of experience
287 reviews
Genaro
13 years of experience
Dodge Stratus L4-2.4L - Brakes, Steering and Suspension Inspection - Chicago, Illinois
Awesome

Robert

27 years of experience
333 reviews
Robert
27 years of experience
Dodge Stratus L4-2.4L - Check Engine Light is on - Silver Spring, Maryland
I was very pleased with Robert's professionalism, knowledge and demeanor. He was friendly, neat and tidy and was able to properly diagnose my problem. He will be returning to fix the cause of the CEL, and to work on my other car. I have already recommended him to a friend.

Nathan

29 years of experience
260 reviews
Nathan
29 years of experience
Dodge Stratus L4-2.4L - ignition key cylinder - Tulsa, Oklahoma
very good

Excellent Rating

(223)

Rating Summary
201
16
2
0
4
201
16
2
0
4
Number of Dodge Stratus services completed
2453+
services done by our mechanics
TOTAL NUMBER OF EXPERT Dodge MECHANICS
1400+
experts on our platform

Recent articles & questions

How Does the Side Mirror Control Switch Work?
Older Older vehicles and cars with base trim levels may have manual mirror adjustment. The most basic method is adjusting the mirror glass directly on the mirror assembly, or it can be adjusted by a manual cable toggle control. While...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Acura TL
The The 2012 Acura TL has softened features, great fuel economy, and an overall fresh feel compared to past model years. The interior has an elegant and sporty feel to it making it comfortable to ride in. Furthermore, it costs...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Trunk Latch
Common signs include the trunk not shutting or locking and the trunk getting stuck closed.

How do I use the panic feature?

The panic feature is an important safety feature in your vehicle. When the panic feature is activated, the horn will sound, and the hazards will flash for 30 seconds, which draws attention to your vehicle if you feel unsafe. To...

Car having multiple electrical problems

It sounds like you have a problem in the instrument cluster causing the problems. I cannot find any common problems related to what you are describing, but I suggest that you have the wiring to the cluster checked along with...

car won't start

Hi there: It looks as if your best bet would be to have a professional mobile mechanic stop by your location and give you a hand trying to diagnose the issues with your vehicle. You should set up an appointment...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com