What The Color Of Your Exhaust Means
Posted on: 20 May 2020
All vehicles that use gas emit exhaust. It is important to be aware of the color of the exhaust that your vehicle is emitting, as the color of the gas provides you with information about your vehicle. Some colors of exhaust also require immediate emergency attention, which is why you need to know what it means when your exhaust color changes.
Clear: The Default Exhaust Color
When everything is working correctly on your vehicle, the exhaust that comes out of it will generally be difficult to see. The exhaust that comes out of your car should be clear. On a cold morning, your exhaust may look a little white as your vehicle warms-up, but once your vehicle is warm, the exhaust should once again be clear.
White: Your Vehicle Is Safe By Needs Some Attention
If the exhaust coming out of your vehicle looks white when you are driving around, you can continue to drive, but you are going to want to schedule an appointment with your auto repair technician. Continued white exhaust usually means that your fuel pump injection system is not working right or that you have a small coolant leak. You can keep driving, but you are going to want to address the issue.
Blue Exhaust: Your Vehicle Needs Help
One of the most uncommon exhaust colors is blue exhaust. Blue exhaust usually happens when oil is getting into the combustion chamber and is getting mixed up with your fuel.
Blue exhaust can also be a sign that you have a leaking valve seal or damaged cylinder wall. If your vehicle is emitting blue exhaust, something is damaging and leaking, and you need to get into to see your mechanic in the next week or two. Don't keep driving with this type of leak long term.
Black Exhaust: Something Serious is Happening
If your vehicle is emitting black exhaust, that means that something serious is happening with your vehicle.
Your vehicle has a broken fuel injection system, which can result in your car failing to start. You may have a clogged air filter, or the manifold may be impacted. Your vehicle is burning more fuel than it should. Stop driving and get your vehicle to the auto shop. You may want to call a tow truck and get your vehicle to the auto shop.
Grey Exhaust: Call a Tow Truck
Grey exhaust is the worst color to see coming out of your tailpipe. Grey exhaust means that you have a broken engine block or that you have a cracked cylinder head.
This can lead to your vehicle overheating, and if you keep driving, it can result in even more serious damage to your engine. If you see grey smoke coming from your vehicle, don't keep driving. Immediately pull over and get a tow truck to take your vehicle to the auto repair shop.
Clear exhaust is perfect. If you have white or blue exhaust, you can keep driving, but need to get your vehicle checked out soon. Black and grey exhaust are really serious, and to be safe, you should call a vehicle towing service to take you to your local auto repair shop.
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