Your car’s exhaust can give you a great deal of information if you know what to look for. Sammy’s Auto wants you to know that if you’re noticing changes to your exhaust, that’s a sign that your car needs service right away. The problem can range from relatively minor to a severe issue that can be unsafe. Don’t take chances with your car or with the people you love who ride in your car.
Blue Exhaust Points to Oil Problems
If the exhaust coming out of the tailpipe has a bluish tint, that can mean that you’ve got an engine oil leak somewhere. Engine oil tends to give off blue exhaust when it burns, and that’s not great news for you. Oil that’s burning off in the engine isn’t circulating through and doing its job of lubricating, cleaning, and cooling the engine. It also means that your engine could seize up on you.
White Exhaust Means Coolant Issues
When you’re seeing white exhaust, that’s a little different from blue exhaust. This typically means that coolant is getting into areas where it shouldn’t be. Most often that means that your head gasket has blown. This seals off the engine and is a vital piece. Without it, your engine is going to overheat quickly and might have more damage than you realize.
Black Exhaust Is Related to Misfires and Combustion Problems
Black exhaust coming from the tailpipe still isn’t great news, unfortunately. What this usually means is that something is off with the combustion ratio. That involves fuel, air, and the spark from your car’s spark plugs. If any of those three things aren’t timed or measured properly, you likely have combustion issues including misfires and you get discolored exhaust.
More Smoke of Any Color Is a Warning
The bottom line is that your car’s exhaust is usually not all that visible. So if you’re seeing more smoke than usual, no matter what color it is, that means that something has changed and you have an issue somewhere. Diagnosing the problem yourself is likely to be a lot more difficult and time-consuming than you might realize.
If you’ve got exhaust issues, it’s time to bring your car to a reliable mechanic. Contact us at Sammy’s Auto in Seffner, FL. We can quickly and professionally diagnose the issue and let you know what’s happening so that you can make an educated decision.
