Strange exhaust coming out of your vehicle is an alarming matter – and drivers usually panic about sudden accidents when they see this. However, it’s important for drivers to be educated and understand that different exhaust colors may mean different things; in this blog entry, the roadside assistance experts here at Chicago Towing will detail what different colors signal about the condition of your car.
Blue Exhaust
Blue / grey exhaust color isn’t commonly seen – and it indicates an oil leaking problem. It occurs when oil goes into a car’s combustion chamber and mixes with the fuel. This often happens when an engine’s power input is changed, which can stress out piston rings and cause oil leaks. Blue exhaust oil leaks can also be caused by worn down cylinder walls or valve seals. Piston ring issues are often indicated by blue exhaust when accelerating. When blueish smoke is emitted when slowing down, it’s likely due to valve guide seals.
Grey Exhaust
Grey exhaust is a bad sign; it’s often caused by a leaking head gasket, cracking cylinder heads, or broken engine blocks. This can result in a gasket leaking, allowing engine coolant to enter a combustion chamber and burn up – which drains all coolant, making it super easy for engines to overheat. Any cylinder head or engine block damage need to be handled ASAP to ensure safety.
Black Exhaust
Black exhaust isn’t as dangerous as grey exhaust, and it can indicate a broken fuel injection system, a clogged air filter, or an impacted manifold. This usually indicated fuel being wasted more quickly, as the car is likely burning more fuel than is typically needed.
White Exhaust
White exhaust is the safest exhaust color to see – and it’s often seen on cold days, when vapor is caused by the joining of two different temperatures. If white exhaust continues after your vehicle has warmed up, it can indicate an issue with fuel pumping injection, coolant leaks, or a few other issues.
If your car is persistently experiencing black, grey, blue – and even white – exhaust, we recommend having it towed by professional towing technicians to a mechanic for an inspection.
