Many people are curious about why there is white smoke from exhaust when accelerating. Many different things can cause this, and the easiest way to find out for sure is by getting a diagnosis done.
Our article below will give you some main causes and the easiest way to sort out the problem.
Wasting no further time, let’s get started!
What Are The Causes of White Smoke Blowing From Car Exhaust?
Condensation
When the ambient temperature is particularly cold and you crank up your car, white smoke might come from the tailpipe.
If this happens to you, don’t worry! The smoke results from the warm or hot exhaust gases meeting the cold air, and it should go away after a short period of driving.
People who leave a warm climate like California for a colder region might experience this white smoke. Still, it is harmless, so take your ease.
Cracked Cylinder Head
If the pipe keeps emitting white smoke after a long driving time, then the problem might refer to your leaking coolant.
Cracked cylinder heads will make your car emit white smoke from the exhaust pipe. This happens when a little bit of coolant mixes with engine oil, making it contaminated and emitting it out through the tailpipe.
Remember that this is not just when the crack is very big. Sometimes just a little bit of leaking coolant can lead to the case.
The sweet smell of the coolant and oil in white smoke will appear if the process continues. Just one drop of coolant can make your car produce this unusual smelling, milky smoke that will not disappear until you get it fixed.
Moreover, your low coolant level and poorly maintained cooling system might cause your head gasket to fail. There will not be enough power in the engine when it is overheated, so there is no point in having a functioning head gasket anymore.
Piston Ring Or Valve Seal Leak
Piston rings and valves are another possible cause of white or light bluish smoke coming out from the exhaust. This is due to oil leaking into the combustion chamber, where it mixes with fuel and burns to create this color in output.
The simplest way to fix it is taking your vehicle to any local auto shop immediately after noticing this problem. However, for those who want to DIY, follow strictly necessary safety precautions beforehand to avoid serious injury.
Opening up the coolant reservoir cap when not completely cooled down from running can damage the engine, so allow your car to cool off first.
Oil Leak
Oil leaks from your pistons and valves into the combustion chamber, where it mixes with fuel before coming out of your tailpipe. The smoke will look white but has a blue tinge because oil changes its chemical composition when exposed to high temperatures in the engine.
Bad Fuel Injector
White or gray smoke from your tailpipe might indicate you have a faulty fuel injector that is leaking. When the fuel injector is malfunctioning, it delivers too much fuel to the combustion chamber. This excess can not fully burn in the engine and finally comes out as white smoke.
Check out our “how often to use lucas fuel injector cleaner” post to clean the injector yourselves!
Cracked Engine Block
You will not want this worst scenario to happen. These are the most expensive problems to fix, and you will never know what is causing the problem until you take your car to an auto mechanic for a complete diagnosis.
How Do You Fix White Smoke From Exhaust When Accelerating?
Step 1: Look For Any Crack In The Intake Manifold Gasket
The first thing to check is the intake manifold gasket, not the head one. The intake gasket transports coolant and oxygen to the engine. If it develops a crack, the engine will overheat due to the leaking of coolant and air.
It is made mostly of rubber or plastic, which means that heat can pose a serious threat to this gasket. Do not worry. It can be repaired when detected early on!
Step 2: Look For Any Crack In The Head Gasket
If there is no problem with the intake manifold gasket, then check the head gasket. The head gasket is there to seal the block so that coolant does not get into the cylinder. Find a crack in your head gasket? Replace it right away.
Step 3: Look For Any Crack In The Cylinder Head
A cylinder head is a crucial part of the car’s engine because it connects to its block and gasket. Since aluminum heads are more likely to warp or break in case of overheating, they should be replaced immediately if any crack is found during inspection.
Step 4: Look For Any Crack In The Engine Block
There are three main ways to fix a cracked engine block. You can use a cold-metal patch that is put over the crack, stitch it with cold-metal, or re-weld the crack.
These jobs require work from a professional and are expensive. The labor cost for an engine block repair will depend on what model your car is, as some cars are harder to get into than others. Depending on your vehicle type and make, a temporary fix for this problem could range from $2,500 to $4,000.
Step 5: Clean or Replace the Fuel Injector
The fuel injectors might get clogged by things like carbon and sludge and can not work properly. We have good news for you: commercial fuel injector cleaners can clear them out, and you can find these cleaners in all auto stores!
Final Thoughts
In general, white smoke from exhaust when accelerating signifies that the engine needs to be serviced. It could be due to anything like condensation, oil leak, or cracked engine block. So take a look to see what is going on with your car first.
Our detailed insight might help you make some assumptions about the roots of the problem. However, if you don’t know how to proceed next, check with someone at your dealership!
