Seeing white smoke from your vehicle’s exhaust can be alarming, but it’s not always something to be concerned about. In some cases, it can be a normal occurrence (especially in winter). However, if the white smoke continues, it can indicate a serious issue that requires immediate attention to prevent potential engine damage.
Keep reading to understand the possible causes of white smoke coming out of your exhaust so you can differentiate between what’s normal and what needs to be resolved.
Top 7 Reasons White Smoke is Coming From Your Tailpipe
If you are in the unfortunate situation where white smoke continues to come out of your exhaust after you’ve let your car warm up for more than a couple of minutes, then you could have some internal problems taking place.
It’s important that you address the issue soon so that your engine and exhaust system do not get damaged in any way. Here are 7 of the most common causes of a car blowing white smoke from the exhaust pipe as well as the approximate cost to fix.
1) Condensation Burn Off
If you notice white smoke coming from your muffler, don’t automatically assume the worst. You may not have to worry because it could just be the accumulation of condensation causing that to happen.
In these situations, you will typically see this white smoke come out on cooler days. The smoke should only be coming out in small amounts after you start your engine. Then after about 30 seconds to a minute, the white smoke should clear up. If this is the case then you have nothing to worry about.
Cost to Fix: $0. No repair needed, as this is a normal occurrence and not a cause for concern.
2) Cracked Cylinder Head
Whenever your cylinder head is cracked or damaged, coolant will begin to leak out of it. This doesn’t need to be a big crack either. All it takes is a little bit of coolant to leak out and get mixed in with the engine oil.
Once that happens, the oil will become contaminated. The first sign of having contaminated oil is white exhaust smoke coming out of the tailpipe. As this continues, the white smoke will begin to have a sweet odor smell that won’t go away.
Cost to Fix: Repair costs can range from $500 to $2,000 or more, depending on the extent of the damage and the vehicle make and model.
3) Leaking Intake Manifold Gasket
Another area that can leak coolant is the intake manifold gasket. If your vehicle has water jackets that run through the intake manifold, a leaky intake manifold gasket could give you symptoms that are very similar to a head gasket leak, a cracked block, or a cracked cylinder head.
A bad intake manifold gasket is often cheaper and easier to fix than a bad head gasket. If you notice white smoke, make sure you do a bit of testing and diagnostics to figure out exactly which component is leaking. The cost of an inspection and diagnostics fee will pay for itself when you dodge an expensive repair bill for a part that didn’t need to be replaced.
Cost to Fix: Replacing an intake manifold gasket often costs between $250 and $600, depending on the vehicle and the complexity of the repair.
4) Oil Leak
If oil were to ever leak out of your piston rings or valve seals, then it would flow into the internal combustion chamber along with the fuel. Once the fuel and oil get mixed together, it will cause to come out of the tailpipe. You’ll likely see a blue-ish color smoke from your exhaust but it may appear to be white smoke to some people.
You would obviously want to fix this leak quickly because if the engine components are not being lubricated properly by the oil, then they’ll start to get worn out and damaged rather quickly. This will cause a whole other flock of expensive problems that you won’t want to have.
Cost to Fix: Fixing an oil leak can cost anywhere from $100 to $1,000 or more, depending on the source and severity of the leak.
5) Bad Fuel Injector
The fuel injector is responsible for injecting fuel into the internal combustion chamber at the exact right time. If you were to have a bad fuel injector, then it would cause white smoke to form because the proper amount of fuel did not enter the chamber at the right time.
Cost to Fix: Replacing a single fuel injector can cost between $200 and $800, while replacing multiple injectors can cost upwards of $1,500.
6) Engine Control Unit Error
If you have a faulty engine control unit or one that simply is glitchy, it may throw off the timing of the fuel injector. This doesn’t mean the fuel injector is bad or anything. It just means you need to fix or reprogram the engine control unit so that it can correct the timing of the fuel pump injector.
Often, you can simply unplug your car battery for a few minutes to reset the computer and the issue fixes itself. But if not, you would need to go to your dealership to get this done because it requires expert mechanics who are familiar with your vehicle’s engine to reprogram the engine control unit.
Cost to Fix: Replacing (and reprogramming) an engine control unit can cost between $500 and $2,000 (or more), depending on the vehicle and the extent of the issue.
7) Cracked Engine Block
The worst case scenario is that your entire engine block has a crack in it. These are the kinds of problems that will be the most costly to fix. You probably aren’t going to know which of these problems is causing the white smoke to get produced until you have a mechanic look over your vehicle and perform a diagnosis on it.
Cost to Fix: Repairing a cracked engine block can be quite expensive, often costing between $2,000 and $5,000 or more. In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace the entire engine.
How to Diagnose the Issue
If you notice white smoke coming from your exhaust, it’s important to diagnose the root cause before any potential engine damage can occur. Here are the steps to follow:
Check Coolant Level
The first step is to check your vehicle’s coolant levels. Locate the coolant reservoir (aka: overflow tank) under the hood. If the coolant level is below the recommended mark, it could indicate a leak causing the white smoke.
If that’s the case, the problem is serious if the leak is happening in the engine block or cylinder head. But it’s also possible you have a small leak elsewhere which isn’t the cause of the white smoke. This brings us to…
Inspect the Engine for Leaks
Perform a visual inspection of the engine bay, looking for any signs of coolant leaks. Check hoses for cracks, holes, or loose connections, and inspect the radiator for damage. Don’t forget to look underneath the vehicle for any pooling of coolant on your driveway or garage floor.
If you discover a leak, try to identify its source and assess the severity. Small leaks may be repairable, while larger ones may require professional assistance.
Check the Oil Condition
Checking the oil is a simple but important step. Remove the oil dipstick and look at the oil’s consistency and color. If the oil appears milky or has a foam-like texture, it may be contaminated with coolant, suggesting a potential head gasket issue.
In this case, don’t continue driving! If you ignore that warning, there’s a good chance severe engine damage will be the result and you’ll have even bigger problems.
Use an OBD2 Scanner
If your vehicle has an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) system (all vehicles since 1986 do), an OBD2 scanner can help identify issues related to the coolant system, fuel injectors, or engine control unit.
Plug the scanner into your vehicle’s OBD2 port (usually located under the dashboard) and follow the device’s instructions to retrieve error codes. You can then research the meaning of the codes or consult a mechanic for interpretation and guidance on what to do next.
Inspect the Fuel Injectors
If the white smoke isn’t related to coolant, inspect the fuel injectors for any signs of leaks or damage. A faulty fuel injector can cause white smoke by allowing excess fuel to enter the combustion chamber.
To check the injectors, look for any visible cracks or leaks, and ensure the electrical connections are secure. In most cases, having a professional mechanic perform a more thorough inspection is highly recommended. They’ll be able to quickly identify a bad fuel injector and replace it if necessary.
Perform a Compression Test
A compression test helps determine if there’s an issue with the cylinder head, piston rings, or valves. This test requires a compression gauge and involves removing the spark plugs and cranking the engine to measure the pressure within each cylinder.
If one or more cylinders show low readings compared to the others, it could indicate a leak. Performing a compression test is not in the skillset of most car owners, so you’ll probably want to seek help from a mechanic.
Consult a Professional Mechanic
It should go without saying that if you’re unsure about the diagnosis or lack the necessary tools and expertise, consulting a professional mechanic is the best course of action. They have the knowledge and equipment to accurately diagnose the issue causing the white smoke.
Attempting to fix the problem yourself without the right tools or knowledge could lead to further damage and more costly repairs in the long run.
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I have a 2016 Chevrolet Traverse. Since I got a low oil warning I’ve been adding oil, 2 or more quarts until I’m able to get an oil change. Last night I put in 5 quarts and when I started the car today it was blowing white smoke. I’m optimistic that it’s nothing major because it goes away after driving on the highway but I could be wrong. Any help is greatly appreciated
Sounds like you might’ve put too much oil in the vehicle. Did you check the oil level while you were adding oil to make sure it wasn’t too much?
i was driving my 2014 Elantra at 100km speed on the highway then i exellerated to overtake a bus, and then my car blue a big cloud white smoke.Oil and water levels are OK .also no warning lights be seeing .Siggy
I don’t know. Sounds like some diag may be in order. I would probably start with a leak down test.
Hi
I have a Nissan Pathfinder 2016 that has been blowing white smoke from exhaust only on start up not on cold days. Have taken it to mechanics and they have changed fuel injector, coil and spark plug. Still have smoke on start up only for a few seconds at any time of day and on hot days.
any ideas on what the issue maybe?
Are you losing any coolant?
Hi I also have a Nissan pathfinder but it’s a 2019 and it’s doing the same thing!
I recently purchase a 2018 Nissan Pathfinder doing this. It will blow smoke only at start and then it goes away. No engine light, did you find out what it is?
I have a 1996 Toyota Camry, Wife Drove it and seen White smoke coming from the Hood, She pulled over and a Crack in the Radiator. .. Replaced Radiator Now white Smoke coming from the Exhaust Pipe .. There is Water Mixed with the Oil as I looked at the oild cap.. No Oile in the Water as yet.. No oil under the Radiator cap… It it a Head Casket or the Head.?
My BMW x3 2016 has white smoke every time when I start the car. Then the smoke would stop in 30 seconds or so; no such smoke during the driving. No other bad sign. Should I worry about it?
How much smoke? A little smoke on cold start is normal, especially on a cold morning.
I have a Toyota Corolla 2004, as soon as I start the engine, it smokes so much very very much especially when accelerating it becomes more worst .. please what do I do? Scared to take to the mechanic and don’t really have money to get a new engine what’s the way out please 😞😞😞
If you don’t have money, start reading everything you can about cars until you can solve the problem yourself. Watch YouTube videos, learn diagnostic tests and techniques, and see what you can do with your car. You can rent a lot of tools from auto parts stores so as long as you have some common hand tools, there’s a lot you can do yourself.
If you reach a point where you can’t do some task because of a physical or space limitation, you might have to bite the bullet and take the car somewhere.
I have a 2009 Nissan Versa. The starter and battery were replaced in 2021. It has been sitting, not being driven, but in decent California weather. I had been starting it and letting it run for a couple of minutes every few days. Last time I went to start it to let it run, it would crank fine but not turn over. I tried revving the engine but it wouldn’t start and white smoke came from the exhaust pipe. Tried jumping it, but it would still not turn over. It has 153,500 miles but in the past couple years only driven locally. It stay above 3 rpms on the freeway of you go 65 mph. So it hasn’t been driven for miles or at high speeds in the last year. A neighbor was able to rev the engine and get it to drive. Was wondering if it is time to stop investing in something that could be costly or what could be the issue based on the symptoms. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank so much.
How long was it sitting?
I have a1991 turbo porsche that sat for over a year. When started recently it blows white
smoke out of one of the rear exhausts. Engine is 3.5cc turbo air cooled.
Does it continue to blow white smoke when the car is running at operating temperature?
Yes
You could try checking the spark plugs and doing a leak down test. It’d be worth making sure the turbo isn’t leaking coolant either.
We have a 2007 EC90 V6..After finding car 2.5 quarts low put in 2.5 in ..someone else had been using the car . I was driving it no issues when oil low light came on causing me to put this in immediately. It was driven a little about our small town and another person drove it about 25 miles round trip when I noticed when cranking car white smoke came out tailpipe and when I drove for just a few hundred feet then it cleared up then if I stopped at stop sign or red light and when starting to accelerate white smoke came out for about 3 to 5 seconds. It was not cold and no smell of the sweet antifreeze smell. No coolant in oil no history of overheating. I checked oil still a little low so put in Slick Fifty and Head Gasket Sealer . It had 35 miles to empty on tank I got 25.00 in gas fr Shell added fuel injector cleaner. Notice car was running better than ever super smooth more power..really noticeable more get up and go. Sometimes I drove it to town and back stopping at red lights and back and no white smoke seen at all. Usually small amount at cranking and depending how long you sit idling the more white smoke comes out before there is none after several seconds of acceleration..warm weather. I put another 25.00 in Shell gas and more injector clearer in gas . What do you think this is ? My next step is mass air flow sensor. Any ideas besides that. The other people using car had been getting gas at Ingles.
Usually
No idea. Run a compression test and leak down test on the car and that should tell you more.
I have a 2017 Nissan Rogue Sport and white smoke comes out of the tailpipe on startup and the smoke stops after a minute or two . What can cause that ? Mind you , it didn’t do that until I took it in for an oil change by a mechanic that I told their boss I didn’t want working on my car . The car does not over heat and I still get a 5 star performance rate . My car have never smoked before I took it to the mechanic .
I started my chevy malibu early in the morning to go to work when it was about 25 degrees out, as soon as I started it, thick white smoke started blowing out of the exhaust, this lasted the whole time i was letting the car warm up about 5 or so minutes then as i drove down the street to the 7-11 to do my morning routine and see if it would stop before i took the long drive to work if it did not stop, my son said that it still continued to blow out the thick dirty white smoke but just not as much as it was while it was idling in my driveway. So what could possible causes be and how do i go about getting it fixed? Appreciate some feedback and advice, thanks.
Does it blow white smoke when it’s warmer out? All cars make some white smoke when it’s cold outside. That’s just from the condensation in the air. It’s a bit like the mist that comes out of your mouth when you breathe the cold air.
I have a kia optima 2011 and when I turn it on a lot of white smoke comes out the exhaust
Does the smoke decrease as the vehicle comes up to operating temperature?
my truck has been sitting for years. went out to start it and white smoke is coming from the tail pipes
Years is a very long time for a vehicle to sit. In that case, some white smoke on first start up is normal. That gasoline is probably too old as well, I am surprised it even runs smoothly at all.
Give it some time, see if the white smoke goes away after a few heat cycles. I would give the truck some fresh gasoline as well.
I haven a Nissan Murano 2005, it was ideal for about two weeks and when started it, it fives out white smoke dn continued when I accelerate at 3. rpm. The weather is cool though.
my audi q5 started smoking alot from the muffler when am idling in trafific and when i use a computer to check if there is any faults it show that there is no problem what do you think is the problem?
Smoke by itself is hard to diagnose. You’ll need to do some testing to narrow down the problem. Call a local shop and see if they can get you in soon.
So i put unknown gas in my 2002 4runner v6 5vz fe cause i didnt have money for gas and i was really low and it now shoots tons of white smoke out of the exhaust when i start it and it also shuts off after about 8 seconds of idling it will not run what do i do please help
Drain the tank and fill it with good gas.
I have a 2014 BMW. Just recently about 3 weeks after my mechanic did an oil change My car started to throw white light smoke out one exhaust pipe. Called my mechanic explained was going on and he said oh that’s bad. It is probably burning oil which could be a oil gasket or a cracked blocked I can’t remember what he said I panicked when he said I probably about 6 thousand. After that I don’t remember what else he said. Now it throws out white light smoke but it disappears right away and does not smell. What is your opinon the matter.
He can’t know what the root cause is or how much it’ll cost without doing some diagnostics on the vehicle (and nor could I). Could be anything from condensation (normal, not a problem) to bad piston rings (which require an engine rebuild, and will likely cost close to what he quoted you).
If you’re concerned, it might be wise to pay to have the car inspected and the problem diagnosed. The cost is usually low (around $100-200) and that information is worth it; it could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Hey me and my dad did a oil change on the car the last owner didn’t do any oil changes on it so it had his first oil change and a while and when we finished and when we started the car it was blowing white smoke and when we hit the gas more white smoke comes out
If the previous owner didn’t do any oil changes, any number of things could be wrong. How many miles does the vehicle have on it, and how long did the previous owner have the vehicle?
I have a 1998 Buick Century and had some mild temperature gauge issues, my temp gauge would spike up to the 3/4 mark and then go back down to normal immediately. My coolant light came on but my coolant was never low. After a few days of that happening it actual overheated so I pulled over let it cool, filled it up with antifreeze and while I drive it home soon as it got to the normal temp it would die. Happened twice on my way home. I replaced the radiator, water pump and thermostat. It is still dying when it gets to the normal temp gauge. I haven’t drove it at all since I replaced all those things only let it run in the driveway. After all that and it sitting for about two weeks I go to start it and it’s blowing out white smoke and the temp gauge went up and died. I need help. What could be the issue?
Sounds like a blown head gasket. You can do a leak down test to confirm.
I have a 2001 ford escort I put 2 quartz of oil in it to get me by until I get the oil changed the next day and right after I went to crank it up it started smoking big clouds of smoke from the exhaust and it started puttin and cut off.. Now my battery won’t stay charged… What could that be?
Not sure. Those sound like unrelated issues. Can you drive it to a mechanic to get it diagnosed?
Brother gave me his 2001 Ranger. I replaced the fuel pump and put about 60 miles on it. Today, ran about a 1/4 mile with no problem. When I got back in vehicle to return home. It was sluggish and was blowing more white smoke from tail pipe than a Britdestroyer running from the Bismark. No oil in coolant and no coolant in oil……
1/4 mile isn’t a long distance, especially if the vehicle has been sitting for any length of time. Bring it up to operating temp. Does the problem persist or get worse?
My 2000 Ford excursion has over 200k miles. It’s been sitting for a while and we noticed it had no oil. Did an oil change and for the 1st 3 miles it was letting out white smoke, then stopped. It sputtering, but not getting hot. I believe it may be bad gas. What’s your thought?
How long was it sitting? Gas goes bad after a while. If the car has been sitting, a little white smoke initially is normal.
I have a 2017 Mustang GT. I have noticed a little bit more white smoke coming out (not super thick) and see i am leaking coolant on the ground. Is it possible I have an internal leak too like a head gasket?
It’s possible. Do you know where the coolant leak is coming from?
My 1999 chevy 2500 6.0 had no smoke until the say after i bought it smoked for hours and more when i hit the gas…next day no smoke when i go to return it
…..any ideas? I thought maybe condensation at first but why one day and not thw next?
I don’t know. You could do a leak down test, check the head gasket and intake manifold gasket to see if those are leaking. More troubleshooting is needed.
I am considering a Saab 9-5 and the seller says the white smoke, which clears up in less than a minute, is caused by the age of the turbocharger. Is this likely a cause, and what else might it be caused by?
That’s plausible; I think those turbos are water cooled. I have a buddy who had a turbocharged beetle that would blow a little white smoke whenever he would get on the throttle. It wasn’t a big deal in his case (he knows how to rebuild the turbo).
Basically white smoke can be caused any time coolant gets into the combustion chamber and blows out the exhaust. This could be from bad head gaskets, a leaking intake manifold gasket, turbo coolant lines, or even coolant leaks in the EGR system.
My car was showing 70% oil life and so I put to bottles of oil in it. My car started blowing white smoke from exhaust. Went to get an oil change the next day and was told there was too much oil in there. They told me to drive the car around to get rid of the white smoke. Is that true? If so how long should I drive it around?
70% is fine. That’s oil life, not oil level. You should not just add more oil if it’s not low.
I have a 2002 Silverado and after driving for a while and shutting off, when I go to start it back up say 20 minutes later it blows white smoke for let’s say a minute then goes away. Thoughts??
It could be a leaky intake manifold gasket or a leaky head gasket. I would do a bit of testing (or take it to a mechanic) so you know for sure before replacing anything.
I have a uno 1986 model it is making thick white smoke even while driving non stop and it has a bad smell what can it be firstly
It could be a failed head gasket, but it’s hard to know for sure without doing some testing and diagnostics.
My 95 Lexus had some fuel injection cleaner fluid put in a month or so ago , driving miles away from home it started to smoke out , did the fuel injectors clean out ?
I don’t know. What type of cleaner was used exactly, and what color was the smoke?
One point hasn’t been mentioned. White smoke can be burning oil, can be a bad mix also. I had white smoke, thought it was injectors. I replaced the mass airflow sensor and it was gone almost instantly. Rich exhaust smell also disappeared. It’s a cheap enough part, you should at least pull it and clean it (w MAFS cleaner only) and see if that helps.
I bought a 2014 f150. It was from a used car lot.
I noticed today ( cool) day and I did not use the ride 4 about 2 days alot of white smoke came out tailp, it subsided but continued to come out duration of drive. I found out that this ride came from an auction.
See if the white smoke persists. If it’s a lot of white smoke, it could be a problem. A little white smoke on a cold day isn’t that uncommon, and not really a cause for concern if that’s the only symptom you’ve noticed.
You can probably do a leak down test to check for head gasket failure if you’re concerned.
after backing up my 2004 accord with a v-6 and shutting it off i went to retrieve stuff fro the trunk and noticed white smoke trailing from the tail pipes for 30 seconds or more. Haven’t notices white smoke at any other time though i don’t use it very often.
Was it cold outside? Could’ve just been a bit of condensation after you turned it off.
How do u do that
My 2015 Nissan Pathfinder started to have a cloud of white smoke come from the exhaust on startup, but went away in a few seconds. I parked the car for a few weeks, and checked all fluids, checked for any leaks, and ran Seafoam through the gas tank. I checked my plugs and all look great. Stopped smoking at startup so I drove the car to work. Now the smoke is continously coming out. It doesn’t smell like oil burning or sweet like antifreeze. The smoke is really thick. Any ideas?
I’m not sure. You could always do a leak down test to help rule out a head gasket leak.
HI
BMW 320i touring 2006. I have random white puffs of smoke from exhaust. Driving along happens at approx 15min intervals. I have had a oil leak for ages 2 rocker gaskets, 2 vacuum pumps, o rings now rocker gasket and rocker cover about a week ago, seems to have cured leek but the puffs of smoke started a couple months ago. Thought the oil leek was the cause. Any ideas.Thank you
White puffs of smoke are often coolant related.
I have 2015 Ford Focus…First sign of problem the Ac stopped..result of fan not working… Within same drive car got really hot and Warning light message to stop engine immediately showed on dash. I pulled into parts store.. added oil..coolant and drove. Within 5 miles engine stayed cool but now thick white smoke from exhaust. I did spill oil into spark plug reservois. I changed plugs wiped out oil..but car still smoking. Any suggestions????
I have a Mercedes Benz Viano 3.0 v6. When I put diesel in and the needle is above quarter its smokes. I will take it for a drive about 20 km and when I get back the smoking has stopped. It will be gone for about a month to 2 months and then start smoking again. when the fuel is between reserve and quarter it will stop smoking. the smoke has a bad smell to it as well. Can this be a result of faulty injectors .
My car had a big white cloud coming from it’s exhaust a few weeks ago when I was driving up a large hill. A firefighter escorted me to my home city ~ 30 miles away (The smoke stopped after a couple miles past the hill). I have not noticed any more smoke since, although I also haven’t climbed a hill as big as that.
I intend to use a combustion leak test kit, but I’m wondering – is it Is it possible to have the smoke happen only once, and not be indicitive of a greater issues (such as broken head gasket)?
I suppose it’s possible, but without knowing more details about the car it’s just a wild guess. The leak down test is a good idea.
My car has shot a cloud of white smoke twice serveral months apart. Both while accelerating. Both while around 3000 rpm’s. Thoughts?
Did this happen when it was cold outside, or when the car was first started?
Did you find the cause? I’ve got a Chevy Cruze with the same symptoms. Shoot me an e-mail if you can. The 3000 rpm sounds common between us. My oil is good, but at times I’ll check it and it’s way up the dipstick. I can wipe it off and check it again and it’s Ok.
My car shuts off while driving an steering wheel an breaks kinda lock up an white smoke comes out of my exhaust
That sounds like several unrelated problems. I’d have it checked out at a local shop.
My 4 cylinder diesel engine discharged all it’s oil from crank case througj exhaust pipe
Really bad blow by could be the result of worn piston rings.
Blocked PCV system causing over pressurisation of crank shaft.
I have a 2016 Toyota avensis diesel 1.6 the car was driving fine dpf full engine service needed came up on the dash stayed on for 2 days went off now the car is leaving out white smoke form the exhaust while accelerating and idling no smoking until car gets hot what would you think the problem is
You may need to do dpf regeneration with a scan tool beacause soot content may have clogged your exhaust.if you don’t do it quickly, it may mess up your engine
The dpf system on the vehicle is designed to regenerate its self by burning off the particles periodically at a high temp. It will smoke like crazy until it’s burned enough off. Eventually the dpf filter needs replaced.
I had my radiator cap blow off while driving the engine got so hot. I installed a new thermostat and flushed the radiator as well. My tailpipe produces white smoke now. Is this a bad sign for my motor?
Unfortunately it’s possible if you have a blown head gasket.