If you have been noticing more smoke coming from your car when you drive lately, there are several possible causes. From the vehicle’s engine to the environmental conditions around you, many things can contribute to the excessive exhaust smoke from your car. This article will look at the most common reasons your vehicle might be smoking excessively and what your mechanic can do to restore normal operation as soon as possible.
Blown Head Gasket
A blown head gasket is one of the most common causes of excessive exhaust smoke. This occurs when the engine block and cylinder head seal cracks, allowing coolant to enter the combustion chamber. Unfortunately, this can cause your car to overheat and, if left unchecked, can lead to engine damage.
Faulty Spark Plugs
Another widespread cause of excessive exhaust smoke is faulty spark plugs. If your spark plugs are worn out or damaged, they can cause the engine to run less efficiently and produce more smoke. Ask your mechanic to check your spark plugs regularly and replace them as needed to help prevent this problem.
Cracked Engine Block
A cracked engine block is one of the most severe causes of excessive exhaust smoke. When your engine block cracks, it allows oil and coolant to mix. This mixture then gets burned along with the gasoline in your engine, causing thick, black smoke to come out of your tailpipe. A cracked engine block can be caused by several things, including overheating, wear and tear, and even manufacturing defects.
Leaking Fuel Injector
One possible cause of excessive exhaust smoke is a leaking fuel injector. Fuel injectors are responsible for delivering a precise amount of fuel to the engine. When they leak, that fuel can end up in the engine’s cylinders, where it will be burned along with the air/fuel mixture. This can cause a lot of smoke to come out of the tailpipe. In addition, this can cause an incorrect air/fuel mixture in which there is too much fuel and not enough air, leading to excess smoke.
Worn Valve Seals
Another common cause of excessive exhaust smoke is worn valve seals. Over time, the seals that sit between the valves and the combustion chamber in an engine can dry out, crack, and break. When this happens, oil can leak into the combustion chamber and burn along with the gasoline. This will cause a lot of blue smoke from the tailpipe.
Excessive exhaust smoke usually indicates a mechanical problem that needs attention immediately. But, first, see your trusted mechanic get your car’s engine trouble diagnosed and fixed.