What Your Exhaust Color Means

Interpret the Color of Your Exhaust

Some states have a required Smog Inspection for your car, and failing this will require repairs to remain registered. Usually, your car’s exhaust should be translucent or faintly dark smoke. Still, if you see colors or very dark smoke, there may be some issues. Depending on the color, you can tell what is wrong, and here are the leading causes.

Blue Exhaust Causes

Oil leaks can get into your exhaust and, when burned, show up as a blue color. While this isn’t the best kind of air to be breathing, and you’ll most definitely fail your smog inspection, the main issue is that your oil leak needs repairing. Because the oil is burning in your exhaust, it isn’t providing the lubrication it needs to your engine. This process could cause significant engine damage if left ignored. You never want to run your engine without oil.

White Exhaust

White smoke coming out of your exhaust may look more friendly, but it has the same risk. Cooling fluid leaks can cause a white-colored exhaust to appear. Like an oil leak, cooling fluid is necessary for your engine, and without it, your engine will overheat and could explode. Get this checked out immediately because, in this case, you are losing coolant.

Black Exhaust

The blacker the smoke coming from your exhaust, the more pollutants are in it. An imbalance of fuel can cause it to air in the combustive process, or it may be that the air filter is letting in too much dirt. Usually, the fuel is burned in just the right amounts so that the smoke comes out relatively clear. Still, if too much fuel is burning, the balance goes out, and you not only waste fuel but add pollutants to the air. You may want to check if your air filter needs to be changed or if your sensors are improperly feeding your engine. This service can all be completed at a shop before a Smog Inspection so that you can get the repairs done and continue owning a well-maintained vehicle.

At Perlu Advanced Auto Repair in Stockton, CA, we can provide drivers the repairs they need to pass their smog inspection as well as the inspection itself. Call us at 209-451-5845 to learn more or to schedule service.