Possible Reasons White Smoke Is Coming From Your Exhaust
If you see white smoke coming out of your vehicle's tailpipe, first of all, don't freak out. In many cases, especially in cold temperatures, it's perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. However, white smoke could be a sign of a more serious issue, and it's important to understand the variety of things that could be causing this to help avoid potential damage to your engine. Although this isn't an exhaust-ive list, the reasons below are a good place to start.
Condensation Burning Off
One reason for white smoke coming from your exhaust could be condensation burn-off. This white smoke shouldn't actually cost you a thing to repair. Condensation burn-off usually happens on colder days, and if the white smoke is nothing more than a thin vapor that disappears as the car warms up, you shouldn't have anything to worry about.
Cracked Cylinder Head
If the white smoke from your exhaust smells sweet, it may be a sign that the coolant has mixed with your engine oil, which likely means you have a cracked cylinder head. A cracked cylinder head can cause the coolant to leak out, enter the cylinders, and sometimes even the combustion chamber. When coolant enters the combustion chamber, it can be “cooked” during the combustion process and turned into steam, or what your eyes perceive as "white smoke."
Bad Fuel Injector
The fuel injector's responsibility is to deliver the precise amount of fuel into the combustion chamber at the precise right time. When an injector malfunctions, such as getting stuck open or leaking from the o-ring, too much fuel is let into the combustion chamber. Because the incorrect amount of fuel enters the chamber at the wrong time, it can cause thick white smoke to come from the exhaust pipe. In severe cases, the smoke may even appear dark gray or black.
Leaking Valves
Valves regulate the amount of fuel-air mixture entering the cylinders. These valves themselves have a seal — usually made of a super strength rubber material — that helps prevent combustion gases and oil from leaking into the engine area. When valve seals start to wear out, it can cause residual oil to travel down through the leaking seal into the combustion chamber, which produces the white smoke from your exhaust.
How Do I Fix White Smoke From My Exhaust?
First and foremost, we suggest that you take your car to get checked. We recommend using the services of an INFINITI service center to have a professional diagnose and resolve the issue. Many exhaust-related repairs require significant knowledge and special tools and should only be done by a qualified mechanic. When you bring your INFINITI in for an exhaust service, here are a few troubleshooting steps your technician might take.
Inspect the Intake Gasket
There's a gasket inside your vehicle that seals the head and manifold. Once together, the head and manifold distribute the combustion mixture and the coolant to separate intake ports located in the cylinder heads. If the intake gasket is damaged and coolant leaks into the port and combustion chamber, you may notice white smoke coming out of your car.
To help resolve this, your technician will remove the intake manifold and examine the intake gasket. If there is rust or a leak, repairs may need to be made. If everything looks okay, they'll move on to the next step.
Check the Head Gasket
If the intake gasket is fine, it's time to check the head gasket, which has the job of sealing the cylinder head to prevent the coolant from leaking into the cylinder. If there's any damage, leaks, or cracks, these can provide an opportunity for the coolant to get into the chamber. If the head gasket looks okay, it's time to examine the cylinder.
Look For Any Crack In the Cylinder Head
This inspection can be a difficult one, even for professionals. The cylinder head is an aluminum part that can be prone to breaking when things get overheated. Because it connects the engine block and head gasket, the cylinder head is vital to keeping your vehicle running. If it's damaged or broken in any way, it can produce white smoke and needs to be replaced by a professional.
White Smoke and Your INFINITI
A few puffs of smoke from your exhaust usually aren't anything to worry about. But when your car starts sending out smoke signals, you know it's asking for help! Repair your INFINITI's smoking problem with genuine exhaust system parts and service from INFINITI.