A lot of smoke from cars

What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean?

Max. D Gray
By Max. D Gray. Updated: November 18, 2024
What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean?

Your exhaust pipe is one of the most important ways to determine the health of your car. Exhaust fumes are an unfortunate necessity of the internal combustion engine. They are a byproduct of the fuel being burned to propel the car. If smoke is being released, then this is indicative of a problem. There are different types of smoke which may be emitted and it's possible you might ask what does white smoke from the car exhaust mean? oneHOWTO looks at all the possible reasons why white smoke is coming from your exhaust pipe. We'll also look at the different types of smoke and how they can reveal specific problems.

You may also be interested in: How to Stop White Smoke from the Exhaust
Contents
  1. White smoke from the exhaust on startup
  2. White smoke when the car is running
  3. White smoke depending on thickness
  4. Fuel filter related problems
  5. What to do when your car is emitting white smoke

White smoke from the exhaust on startup

When the white smoke comes out of your exhaust can help us to know what is causing the problem. If white smoke comes out when the ignition is started there are a few reasons. The first one is an internal problem which we will discuss further below.

Another important factor is the type of engine of your car. If your car has a diesel engine, then the white smoke might be indicating that there is a problem with the fuel pump injection. When the fuel pump injection timing is off, it is difficult to determine the root cause. There are two main reasons, the first might be dirty or low quality fuel (something which can be problematic with diesel engines). The second will be a mechanical problem.

Unfortunately, these problems are often difficult to diagnose at home. You can check your fuel pump injection timing yourself, but replacing the parts will be something a professional mechanic will need to take care of.

If you see white smoke coming out of the car exhaust pipe in thin wisps, but only when you start the engine and not while driving, there should be no need to worry. This is due to an accumulation of condensation that finds its way out through the exhaust pipe. When you start the engine, the wispy white ‘smoke’ isn't smoke at all, but the vapor going into the air due to the heat.

What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean? - White smoke from the exhaust on startup

White smoke when the car is running

If white smoke continues to come out of your exhaust while the car is running, there are other issues at fault. One cause of white smoke from the exhaust might be the engine leaking coolant. If the engine leaks coolant, it will be burned by the heat of the engine and then come out as smoke from the exhaust.

A problem with antifreeze might also be causing white smoke to come from the exhaust. Antifreeze is used to stop your car from seizing up in cold weather. If it is leaking in your engine, then it may get into the cylinder where the fuel is burned to make the car move. The exhaust takes smoke from the cylinders and removes it form the engine system, so the white smoke is the result of a material being burned which shouldn't be.

Another problem with antifreeze is if it runs out. This means the engine might be overheating and the result is white smoke from the tailpipe. Head gaskets are there to prevent things which shouldn't entering the cylinders. If the engine overheats due to a lack of antifreeze or coolant, then the gaskets fail to work properly. This can allow other things to enter into the cylinders such as outside pollution, dirt, sand or whatever if in the environment.

You will need to check the antifreeze and coolant. If it needs replacing, then do it. However, if the damage is done, then you will need to take the car to a mechanic for engine repair. his could involve replacing the gaskets. If the car is getting too hot, then you should know what to do if your car overheats.

Gaskets sealing the cylinders aren't the only possible leakage. Piston rings malfunctioning or worn out can also lead to leakage which, in turn, leads to white smoke from the tailpipe.

What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean? - White smoke when the car is running

White smoke depending on thickness

Thin smoke

White smoke coming from the back of your car can be ignored if it is thin like vapor. This is probably coming because of normal condensation build-up in your car’s exhaust system, especially if it has undergone damp or cold climate conditions. It is normal, nothing to be concerned about, and will disappear quickly.

If you haven't used your car for a while, then once you start it up again thin smoke may come out if you haven't recently re-filled the gas or added any fuel stabilizer. In this case, we advise you to add some fuel stabilizer or to drain the old gas and re-fill it with fresh gas.

Thick smoke

But if the smoke is thick, it can be a big problem. It may be caused because the engine is burning coolant. This may be due to a serious issue, like blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head or cracked engine block. These are costly repairs, and need to be attended to immediately. Even small leaks in the coolant may lead to overheating, and cause serious damage to your car’s engine. Coolant may also end up mixing with the oil, and thus causing serious damage to your beloved vehicle.

If you use the wrong fuel in your car, then smoke will come out of the exhaust. White smoke might happen if you use unleaded when you should use leaded or vice versa. However, if you put diesel in a gas engine, then thick smoke will come out immediately and your engine will splutter to a stop. In this case, some white smoke is the least of your worries.

What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean? - White smoke depending on thickness

Fuel filter related problems

The fact that the car is emitting a lot of white smoke from the exhaust when it's already running can be a sign of more serious and costly problems, and it should be repaired as soon as possible. The smoke could indicate more serious problems with the fuel filter, cylinder head, the cylinder head gasket or even a crack in the engine block. Keep in mind that problems of this kind can be quite costly.

What to do when your car is emitting white smoke

If you see white smoke coming from your car’s exhaust make sure you follow this procedure:

  1. Stop the car immediately and check and make sure that there is a proper amount of anti-freeze in your car’s radiator, change it if needed and also the over-flow bottle.
  2. Also check if anti-freeze has contaminated your car’s engine oil. You can check the engine oil dipstick, and also the under-side of the engine oil filler cap. If you see contamination with anti-freeze, which will look like a chocolate milkshake, you should not start your engine, and contact a mechanic as soon as possible.
  3. If you continue driving your car with contaminated oil, it may cause serious damage to your car’s engine, which will end up in extremely costly repairs and replacements.

Now you know the reasons, take a look at how to stop white smoke from the exhaust, you'll find solutions no matter what the underlying cause is. You can also take a look at the reasons for black smoke coming from the exhaust.

If you regularly keep up with the maintenance of your car, you can detect these problems early, before they become expensive or even impossible to repair.

If you want to read similar articles to What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean?, we recommend you visit our Car Maintenance and Repair category.

Tips

  • Do not overlook the problem if white smoke is coming out of your exhaust as it could be a serious issue for both your car and other drivers on the road.
Write a comment
What did you think of this article?
31 comments
Christine Joanna Hart
I have an audi and my car has been steadily getting worse with white smoke billowing off and on. mechanics cant find the issue its a 2013 audi A1 turbo diesel. I feel like crying. hes checked the fuel injectors. the AA said the manifold was dirty. my mechanic is next going to check the turbo but hes unsure - and says itll be a grand anyway - im unemployed so its really getting me down.
OneHowTo Editor
Hi Christine,

We are sorry to hear it, it sounds like it might be a costly problem. Have you been able to take a look at any of the other possible problems on the list?
hido
when i bought sienna oil was short and to much slash in the oil. we clean with some chemicals . no noise at engine but white smoke coming from exhaust . no antifreeze in the oil yet
John P Hooper
I recently had a top radiator hose replaced on my 2000 Ford Ranger (3.0). The technician apparently did not replaced the hose in as far as it would go and then he tighten the clamp on half of the hose and half of the radiator metal extension. It blew off and all of the coolant and water was lost. The engine overheated. I waited until it cooled down and then replaced with water. It now has extreme white exhaust and will not go away at all at the tailpipes. It starts and runs great except for the white smoke. The gauge is still cold and will not warm up. I have had my truck for 18 years and it has 165,000 miles on it. It does not use oil and is very dependable. The white smoke is my only concern.. Reckon maybe it is a blown gasket or do I need a replacement engine? Like a Jasper engine? I love my truck. Any reliable technicians in Cleveland Tn? Thank You, John P Hooper

Rating:
Emmanuel Daniel
What makes motor to always vibrate when on motion
OneHowTo Editor
It may be your engine that is causing your car to vibrate, though there are several possible reasons for this. Take a look at this article, it may help: http://motor.onehowto.com/article/why-does-the-engine-of-my-car-shake-397.html
Rating:
lorraine
my car only emits white smoke when sitting in traffic and usually only in first gear what could be the cause . thank you. oh it is a Peugeot 308 sport, 8 year old.
Rating:
carl
hie ..i have a ford telstar v6 1996 model...it is producing a white smoke when i add some oil...but when the oil is not full there will be smoke only the tym i start the car.....


it is producing white smoke and drains the oil very fast
OneHowTo Editor
This may be due to condensation, but the fact that you run out of oil so fast may indicate you have a leak. It's best if you take your car to a professional so you can check it up properly.
Hope this helps
Rating:
Janico Terry
Brake light comes on when driving at times. White smoke smelling like antifreeze coming from tailpipe at times. What could be the problem?
OneHowTo Editor
Sounds like your has a coolant leakage. This is why you should take it to a mechanic.

Hope this helps
Rating:
Sanket N. Gawade
why dose my petrol car give off white smoke during first starting of the day...?? plz help me....
Jane Bertin (oneHOWTO editor)
If it's only at the beginning of the day, it's probably because of condensation being accumulated. If it's a lot of smoke, though, do have it checked out!
Rating:
sreejith aman
My Nissan Qashkai also have the same problem heavy smoke coming from starting time only. Both white & black smoke coming 10 seconds time. And also i found the engine oil is burning and finishing. Last 3 months i am using the car in same condition but the problems not solved. Can you please tell me about it?
KC
I have a Tahoe 2010 it puffs out a white cloud of smoke only when I first start it and it only last a few seconds does any one know what it is?
OneHowTo Editor
If your car is a diesel then it might mean that the fuel pump injection timing is off
Candy Ryan
When I start the car it is fine . No white smoke then I let it so an idle then white smoke is coming out of the tale pipe and under the hood what could that be? All my fluids are full.
Allen K Mathew
my car produce white smoke from exhaust while running (lesser amount of smoke,when i accelerate the pedal at high level) and engine oil drains out very quickly. Can anyone tell me what actually it is about
Ronald Dhliwayo
injection timing slightly off
Mr Jalal Miah
I have vauxhall zafira 2010 ecoflex diesel...back in november 2014 there was a cloud of white smoke when went on the M4.... car wouldn't start. Took it to main dealer who changed oil filter and oil and done static regen, then the same thing happened last week. Same cloud of smoke and engine stopped took back to dealer. This time they said the DPF was 117per cent full. So changed oil and filter and done 2 static regen, but sometimes i still see some white smoke for few miniutes...then goes away. The dealer told me that there was a noise coming from the cars flywheel...and i need to change clutch and flywheel...but clutch changef about 5 months ago...also suspension lower arm ball joints split..please help
Alba Charles (oneHOWTO editor)
We advise you to bring your car to another mechanic so you can have a second opinion on the problem. If you've recently changed the clutch you shouldn't need to replace it again. Ask for a second opinion.
Jamie
I have white smoke coming out my car usually in abundance when vehicle is sitting at a light or parked. It has a v6 engine that uses flex fuel if that makes a difference.
Auditour
I own a Toyota Corolla XE 1993 model. It emits a thick white smoke few minutes after i open the car aircon. I could see that as it gains higher temp, white smoke starts to build up. When I turn the aircon off and the temp starts to get lower, the white smoke emission gradually vanish.What could be the possible problem, and how can i solve it?
Michael Riley (oneHOWTO editor)
Hi there, from what you describe it sounds like it could be a problem with the cooling system - best to take it to a mechanic now and get the issue sorted before any serious damage occurs.
Ken
I have a similar problem with a used mitsubish canter vehicle I recently bought The white smoke mostly comes out when revving the engine or accelarating especially when rev count is in the range of 2000-3000rev/min. The white smoke is usually accompained by popping sound which is quite loud at times. The vehicle also struggles to pick up speed when the smoke is coming out but stabilises in higher gears. A week ago I drove for more that 2000Km with this white smoke and sound being intermittently produced. Any to explain what could be the reasons for this.
Ron
I read that a little white smoke in the exhaust during startup is just water. Then it says if you have a lot after the car warms it could be a coolant leak. These things I know. But what if it is just a small amount of white "whispy" smoke after it warms up? I just bought a 1993 Mazda 929 that is doing just that. The previous owner was told it was a bad O2 sensor and would cost $580. They must've seen her coming a mile away because that is an insane price. $220 tops! But I can do that myself. My question is, would a bad O2 sensor cause a little white smoke? If so, why wasn't it included in the response as a possible cause?
OneHowTo Editor
Hi there Ron, we have been researching the symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor and it appears that white smoke is not among them. The reason may be one of the ones mentioned in the article. We'd advise you to consult a mechanic to be totally sure what the problem is.
Bay Nguyen
My van run petrol,when start give a lot of white smoke,and take about 20 munites later,smoke stop.But when i stop drive for about 3- 4 hour then start engine again and then a lot of smoke come out again.I keep driving for around 3 munite and then no more smoke.Do anyone have any idea? Please advicing me,thanks heaps.
Kayla
I have white smoke coming from exhaust when started and running for a while combined with a rattling noise in the front of car ...
1 of 4
What does White Smoke from the Car Exhaust Mean?