Q: White smoke from exhaust
My car is blowing white smoke out of the exhaust.
Recommended Services
| Smoke from engine or exhaust Inspection | $94.99 - $114.99 | Get a Quote |
Hello. White smoke out of the exhaust usually means that there is coolant getting into the cylinder head, or engine block. The most common cause of this is a blown head gasket. This means that the head gasket that sits between the engine block and cylinder head is leaking coolant into the engine. To repair this problem, the head gasket can be replaced, along with the cylinder being rebuilt. Otherwise, the engine would need to be replaced completely. A thorough diagnosis of the source and cause of the white smoke should be done by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.
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
What others are asking
Car sputters and will not start, 1987 Pontiac Fiero
An engine that cranks but doesn't start is lacking one or more of the following: compression, fuel, or spark. Each of these will need to check systematically to narrow down the cause. Fuel pressure can be checked at the rail...
After shifting into 3rd gear, truck won't accelerate
Hello there, thank you for asking about your 2006 GMC Sierra 1500HD. It sounds like the transmission is slipping. Replacing or rebuilding the transmission is likely the cure. To be certain, I suggest having a professional inspect your vehicle firsthand....
Engine sputtering and oil is leaking
Hello. My biggest concern would be the oil leak. I would need to locate the cause of the oil leak (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-find-the-source-of-an-oil-leak-by-ed-ruelas) and also see how low the oil was when this issue occurred. If the engine oil was low enough,...
I replaced the water pump but all the coolant leaked out - 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier
If there was no leak prior to the water pump replacement, it is possible that the gasket sealing area between the water pump and the engine block has a leak. This is easy to find if you refill the system...
Can not get anti theft to turn off on my car
The first thing to do is remove the installed lock to see if the lock is seized or the latch is broken and needs replaced. If after the lock and latch is fixed then recheck the theft system to see...
brake pad lubricant
The black liquid is used as an anti-rattle coating for the back of the brake pads. You would normally put a thin coating on the backing plate, where it meets up with the caliper, and it is designed to keep...
Brake rotors
What you are describing is a sign of warped brake rotors. As you may know, when you press on your brake pedal, this activates a hydraulic pressure which forces small pistons inside your brake calipers (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-pads-replacement) to push the brake...
Do the air box need to be change if the screw has been broken
Hi there. In order to help you with your question we need to know what the year, make and model of vehicle you have. In general however, if a screw has been lost, it can easily be replaced with a...
The rpm jumps up and down about 300 rpm when accelerator is constant. Only seems to happen when traveling between 40-50 mph
Hello, thank you for writing in. The truck may be having issues with air sensors, fuel pressure, or other electronic issues. I have have to replace the fuel module and the mass airflow on my 1998 S10 with 168,000 miles....
Related articles
The Best Used Cars to Buy for College Students
You’ve You’ve done it – high school is officially behind you. Now it’s time to head off to a brand new world. College is that and more and you may need a car during your pursuit of a higher education....
Understanding the Acura Maintenance Minder Codes and Service Indicator Lights
Car symbols, or dashboard lights, are a car service reminder. The Acura Maintenance Minder codes indicate when and what service your car needs.
How to Replace an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Tube
The EGR valve is connected to an EGR pipe, which helps distribute molecules through your vehicle’s EGR system. A bad pipe leads to performance issues.
Browse other content
Services
Cities