The expert technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive Amarillo take questions from concerned Texas drivers every day. One system in your car seems to cause more concern than any other – the exhaust.

Similar to how your doctor can determine your health based on your output, our ASE-certified technicians can understand the health of your car based on the color of your exhaust smoke.

So what does the color of your exhaust smoke mean? Our West Texas auto experts answer four exhaust system questions regularly heard at our car shop in Amarillo.

Should my exhaust smoke be white?

Often, the heat heading through the pipes will meet the condensation built up inside of your car’s exhaust system and create steam. If the smoke from your exhaust pipe is thin and white, it’s probably nothing to worry about.

However, thick, white exhaust smoke may indicate a problem. White exhaust smoke could mean:

· A cold engine

· Leaking head gasket

· Cracked block

· Cracked cylinder head

Thick, white exhaust smoke could cause overheating and put your engine at serious risk of damage. If this is the case, call our Amarillo car repair shop for an exhaust inspection immediately.

What causes black and gray exhaust smoke?

If your exhaust smoke is gray or black, it typically means means the engine is burning too much fuel. This could be caused by several factors, most commonly related to incomplete fuel combustion.

If your car has a gasoline engine, the reasons typically include:

· Clogged air filter

· Clogged fuel injectors

· Blocked manifold

· Leaking oil

If your vehicle has a diesel engine, the likely causes include:

· Malfunctioning fuel injector

· The wrong grade of fuel

· An overheating engine

· The ignition timing is off

A truck or car burning too much gas wastes fuel and costs you money. Schedule a visit with Christian Brothers Automotive Amarillo for a solution today.

What does blue exhaust smoke mean?

If your vehicle has blue smoke coming from the exhaust, your engine is burning oil.

There are two possible reasons why engine oil is being burned:

· The valve guide seals or piston rings are worn out

· Oil will leak into the combustion chamber

Blue exhaust smoke requires immediate attention. If your car is releasing blue smoke, call our automotive shop for an appointment today.

Schedule exhaust system service with our Amarillo auto shop

If you ever see exhaust smoke coming from your vehicle, it’s time to pay attention. Make sure your car is running as it should with an exhaust system inspection. Call Christian Brothers Automotive in Amarillo, Texas to schedule an appointment today.