Smoke coming from your car exhaust can be nothing to worry about or it can be a sign of something very wrong. The problem is how to tell the difference.

As a rule, your car exhaust shouldn’t blow a lot of smoke, especially newer models, although older cars should run pretty smoke-free if they’re regularly serviced.

Read on find out to what causes your car exhaust to smoke, the different types of smoke you might see coming from your car exhaust and what to do when you spot them.

White smoke coming from car exhaust

White smoke coming from your car exhaust can fall into the “nothing to worry about” zone. If it’s a chilly morning and you see a small amount of smoke for a short amount of time, the chances are that the smoke is just steam caused by condensation.

When is white smoke coming from my exhaust a problem?

If you see a lot of white smoke, this can be an indication of a more serious problem. Lots of smoke from your exhaust could mean the engine is running hot.

This might be a sign of a problem with the head gasket or intake manifold. Both of these are a big deal and could cause serious damage to your engine. If you see a lot of white smoke coming from your exhaust, it’s best to book your car in for a service as soon as possible, so you can spot any big issues early.

Blue smoke coming from car exhaust

Blue smoke often indicates a problem with your oil and can range in colour from purple-grey to very light blue. If the blue smoke comes with a loss of power or difficulty accelerating, it can be a sign of a problem with the turbocharger.

On a standard petrol vehicle, blue smoke is a sign that the car is burning oil. This could be because of a leaky valve which is allowing oil to get to parts of the car it shouldn’t. This can be a really dangerous situation and lead to your vehicle catching fire. If you see blue smoke when you’re driving, pull over and call roadside assistance or your local car mechanic in Wollongong.

Black smoke coming from your car exhaust

If you see black smoke coming from your exhaust, it’s usually a sign there’s a problem with your fuel. The fuel itself may have become contaminated or mixed too much with the engine oil. Even a small amount of smoke is worth mentioning in your next service.

Larger amounts of black smoke coming from your exhaust mean a bigger problem. There may be an issue with the fuel line, the injection system or the sensors. Issues with any of these parts mean you’ll be using more fuel than you should, and that your car could be dangerous to drive.

Contact us

Contact us at (02) 4228 7949 if you want a fast quote or visit us at www.wollongongmechanical.com.au if you want to learn more. We service Figtree, Shoalhaven Heads, Mount Pleasant, Wollongong, Greenwell Point, Kiama, Corrimal, Warilla, Albion Park Rail, Worrigee and surrounding areas.