One aspect of the exhaust system can cause more worry than any other – the smoke.

Much like 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 specialists answer four questions about exhaust system smoke regularly asked at our car shop in North Richland Hills.

Should my exhaust smoke be white?

If your exhaust smoke is thin and white, like water vapor, it’s probably harmless. Condensation will often build up inside of your car’s exhaust system and the heat heading through the pipes will create steam.

If your exhaust is releasing thick, white smoke, you may have a problem. If your engine is burning coolant because of a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head or cracked engine block, you could be in trouble.

Thick white exhaust smoke indicates a coolant leak, which could cause overheating and put your engine at serious risk of damage. If this is the case, call our North Richland Hills auto repair shop for an inspection immediately.

What causes black exhaust smoke?

Black exhaust smoke is usually easy to diagnose and correct, but it can be an expensive problem until fixed. Black exhaust smoke means the engine is burning too much fuel.

This could be caused by several factors, including:

• Damaged fuel-pressure regulator
• Clogged fuel return line
• Clogged air filter
• Clogged fuel injectors

If your vehicle is burning too much gas, it’s wasting fuel and costing you money. Schedule a visit with Christian Brothers Automotive Rufe Snow for a solution today.

What does blue exhaust smoke mean?

There’s one likely reason your car has blue smoke coming from the exhaust: your engine is burning oil. If the valve guide seals or piston rings are worn out, oil will leak into the combustion chamber, where it will burn with the fuel.

If you see blue smoke coming from the exhaust system, check your oil and continue to monitor your car’s consumption. If the damage is severe, the problem could be complex and expensive to repair. Fortunately, a small leak could be handled by managing and topping off the oil regularly.

The only other possible explanation, if your car is turbocharged, is that the blower needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Either way, blue exhaust smoke requires immediate attention. If your exhaust is releasing blue smoke, call for an appointment at our car shop near Keller.

Why is my exhaust smoke gray?

Similar to white smoke, gray smoke can be difficult to diagnose directly. There are several possible reasons your car is sending gray smoke out of the exhaust system.

These reasons include:

• An issue with the automatic transmission fluid
• A stuck PCV valve
• A faulty transmission vacuum modulator
• Excessive oil consumption
• A bad turbocharger

While these issues could be minor and inexpensive to fix, it’s important to call our shop in North Texas for help if your car is releasing gray exhaust smoke.

Schedule exhaust system service with our auto shop

If you ever see exhaust smoke coming from your vehicle, it’s time to pay attention. Exhaust fumes are a clear signal that your car is not operating correctly. Ensure your car is running as it should by calling to schedule an exhaust system inspection at Christian Brothers Automotive Rufe Snow in North Richland Hills, Texas today.