Your vehicle is supposed to release exhaust. Exhaust is part of the four-stroke cycle of internal combustion. In fact, exhaust is the last stroke. Exhaust becomes a problem when there is too much of it. Even if you drive a diesel automobile, you should not see a ton of exhaust pouring out of the tailpipe. If you do, you have an underlying problem that could be both serious and dangerous. Mike’s Auto Service & Repair cautions you that the following instances of exhaust are very bad signs.
Black Exhaust Smoke
Where there is smoke there is fire, and black exhaust means burning fuel. Depending on how much exhaust you see, and whether the black smoke is also coming out from underneath the hood, the fire could be contained or quickly becoming an emergency. Don’t take chances with black exhaust. Your engine is burning gasoline somewhere, so stop driving your automobile right away and have it towed to a service shop. Don’t let the engine actually catch on fire if it hasn’t already.
Blue Exhaust Smoke
Blue exhaust isn’t any better. If you’ve ever looked at the smoke coming from an oil fire, you’ve may have noticed that it has a blue tinge to it. The same holds true for your automobile. If your automobile has a severe oil leak, which can be common in very old vehicles, not only will you end up with blue exhaust pouring out of the tailpipe but also severe engine damage. The more oil your engine burns the less lubricated it is, and that fact that the engine is burning oil already suggests severe damage.
White Exhaust Smoke
White exhaust is also really bad. As with a fuel fire, you might also get white smoke coming out from underneath your hood along with the white tailpipe exhaust. What has likely happened in the engine is that you’ve blown the head gasket and coolant is spraying all over the hot parts. As the radiator loses coolant, your vehicle will also overheat. In any of these cases, the more you drive the more you cause engine damage, so find a safe place to park, turn off your motor, and wait for a tow truck.
Mike’s Auto Service & Repair is located in West Springfield, MA, and you can call us at 413-523-0180. It’s best to err extremely on the side of caution when you see excess vehicle exhaust. This keeps you and your automobile safe. Have the problem inspected as soon as you can.
