Q: Brakes and white smoke coming out

asked by on June 14, 2016

My brakes went out i couldnt stop i pulled the emergency brake nd it finally came to one i park the car....a hour or so later i start the car nd pushed the brakes all this white smoke started coming out nd water is leaking from the tail pipe what is wrong with my car :(

My car has 148010 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Brake System Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

It sounds like you may have overheated the engine or a head and intake gasket blew out. This would account for the white smoke from the tail pipe. The loss of brakes was most likely due to the engine’s loss of vacuum in the intake or engine itself, near the hose that gives vacuum to the brakes.

Your master cylinder may of also blew out and leaked brake fluid into the vacuum brake booster and into the intake. The only way to tell would be to check your brake fluid level to see if most or all of the fluid is gone.

If it is then you have a bad master cylinder and brake booster. If the fluid is still there then check to see if the coolant is low in the radiator overflow after your engine has cooled down. If the coolant is low then the engine has a blown head gasket and intake gasket.

If you need help with these checks, consider getting help a certified mechanic who can inspect your brake system and engine in order to find the source of the problem. Once this is done, an accurate repair can be made.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What is the Radio Data System and how do I use it?
Your car is equipped with an advanced audio system capable of displaying a lot of different information, particularly if you are listening to Radio Data System (RDS) stations. RDS is a system that allows you to explore categories of music,...
Coolant and smoke smell in vents
Hello! It sounds as if your vehicle may have burst a coolant line, and/or overheated. I suggest pressure testing the cooling system to help identify the leak. Being that the smoke was coming through the vents, it is likely that...
Chattering noises coming from transmission
Hello. From the symptoms you've described it would appear to me that there may be an issue with the clutch disc or perhaps flywheel. If the contact surfaces of either are excessively worn it may cause intermittent chatter, as you...
When brake is pressed, the car shakes
Hello! If your engine is emitting blue smoke from the exhaust the problem will probably be some form of internal engine damage or wear. More than likely it will be worn valve guides or piston rings. Both of which will...
My lift gate wont open
You will need to have the body computer scanned using a Tech2 device or something similar that can access the body control module for a rear door diagnosis. The door can be actuated and tested by a technician to see...
If the tire pressure sensors are faulty, will that cause my Advance Trac light to come on?
Your assumption is correct. The tire pressure monitoring system will not turn on the traction control light. These system work independently of each other. You need to connect a scanner capable of accessing the traction control system to read the...
My truck is making a chattering sound when accelerating and when shifting - 2011 Ford F-150
Hello. This is a problem of which Ford is aware, and there are several Technical Service Bulletins from Ford for this issue (#15-0114 and #11-11-6 among them). Check with your Ford service center regarding this issue, and look to these...
Can a car jump start with a bad fuel pump?
Jump starting due to a bad battery will not make a bad fuel pump start working. I would recommend replacing a bad battery and then doing a thorough diagnosis of the fuel system to diagnose the fuel pump not working....

Related articles

2005 Jeep Wrangler vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
Sport SUVs are a class all of their own; these vehicles are meant for a fun drive through the woods and across the trail – but not necessarily to Grandma’s house! Think instead about going through the creek and through...
2005 Kia Sorento vs. 2005 Chevrolet Blazer: Which One Should I Buy?
SUVs are great for playing out in the mud, taking kids and friends around to different places, as well as just running errands around town. While they are not known to be terrific for gas mileage, that problem is negated...
How to Buy a Classic Pontiac
Whether you want to buy a classic Pontiac for yourself or as a gift, here are some tips on buying one for a great value.