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 car’s exhaust smoke mean? Our experts answer four exhaust system questions regularly heard at our car shop in Stockbridge.

What causes black exhaust smoke?

While black exhaust smoke is generally easy to diagnose and correct, it can be an expensive issue until fixed. If your exhaust smoke is black, it means the engine is burning too much fuel.

This could be caused by several factors, including:

· Clogged air filter

· Damaged fuel-pressure regulator

· Clogged fuel injectors

· Clogged fuel return line

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

Should my exhaust smoke be white?

If your white exhaust smoke is thin, like water vapor, it could be nothing to worry about. Often, condensation will build up inside of your car’s exhaust system and the heat heading through the pipes will create steam.

If your exhaust smoke is thick and white, you may have a problem. Thick white exhaust smoke could indicate a coolant leak, which could cause overheating and put your engine at serious risk of damage.

If your engine is burning coolant because of a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head or cracked engine block, you could be in trouble. If this is the case, call our auto repair shop near Bonanza for an inspection immediately.

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. However, a minimal leak could be handled by managing the oil and topping it off 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 car is releasing blue smoke, call for an appointment today.

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 near McDonough for help if your car is releasing gray exhaust smoke.

Schedule exhaust system service with our Stockbridge 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 Eagle’s Landing in Stockbridge, Georgia today.