One vehicle system can cause more concern than any other – the exhaust.

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 exhaust smoke mean? Our North Texas auto experts answer four exhaust system questions regularly heard at our car shop in Flower Mound.

Should my exhaust smoke be white?

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

Thick, white exhaust smoke may indicate a problem. If your engine is burning coolant because of a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder head or cracked engine block, you could be in trouble.

Thick white exhaust smoke indicates a coolant leak, which could cause overheating and put your engine at serious risk of damage. If this is the case, call our Flower Mound auto repair shop for an inspection immediately.

What causes black exhaust smoke?

While black exhaust smoke is typically easier to diagnose and correct, it can be an expensive problem. Black exhaust smoke means the engine is burning too much fuel.

This could be caused by several factors, including:

• A clogged air filter
• Clogged fuel injectors
• Damaged fuel-pressure regulator
• Clogged fuel return line

A car burning too much gas is wasting fuel and costing you money. Schedule a visit with Christian Brothers Automotive Flower Mound for a solution today.

What does blue exhaust smoke mean?

There’s one possible 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 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. If you see blue smoke coming from the exhaust system, check your oil and continue to monitor your car’s consumption.

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 in Flower Mound for help if your car is releasing gray exhaust smoke.

Schedule exhaust system service with our Flower Mound 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 in Flower Mound, Texas today.