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 * Home
 * Advice
 * White Smoke Coming From My Car


WHITE SMOKE FROM YOUR EXHAUST - WHAT IT MEANS & HOW TO FIX IT

Ellie Dyer-Brown, 1 month ago

5 min read

 * Diagnostic
 * Exhaust




WhoCanFixMyCar explains why you might be seeing white smoke from your exhaust.

White smoke from your exhaust can be caused by something as simple as starting
your car when it’s cold, or it could be a sign of something more serious, like
an engine coolant leak. 

The best way to work out the cause is to pay attention to when the smoke happens
- is it when you first start the car, or when you’re accelerating? Does it
happen when you’re idling? Answering these questions will help you make an
accurate diagnosis. 

Here, we discuss the possible causes of white smoke, whether they require a
repair, and, if so, how much it’s likely to cost. Other guides in this series
explain the causes of black smoke, blue smoke, and why your car might be
overheating.

> Contents
> 
> What makes exhaust smoke white?
> 
> Why is there white smoke from my exhaust when accelerating?
> 
> Six causes of white smoke from the exhaust
> 
> White smoke from the exhaust of a diesel car
> 
> How to get rid of white exhaust smoke

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


WHAT MAKES EXHAUST SMOKE WHITE?

One of the most obvious - and least severe - causes of white smoke is
condensation in the exhaust pipe. When the exhaust heats up during everyday use,
any moisture in the pipe evaporates, causing steam. Most of the time, water from
your exhaust system is normal - it usually happens when it’s cold outside, and
the engine has just started up.

> Warning: When you mainly drive your car on short journeys where it doesn’t get
> up to temperature, condensation accumulates in the exhaust without
> evaporating. Eventually, this can lead to corrosion and rust, which may cause
> exhaust gas leaks, leading to an MOT failure.



The other possibility is that your car has a coolant leak - or, in extreme
cases, with lots of billowing white smoke, the head gasket has failed. When
coolant leaks into a part of the engine where it isn’t supposed to be, it gets
burnt along with air and fuel, causing white smoke.


WHY IS THERE WHITE SMOKE FROM MY EXHAUST WHEN ACCELERATING?

If your car still produces white smoke long after the engine starts and gets up
to temperature - including when you accelerate - you can rule out exhaust
condensation as the possible cause. It’s almost certain in this situation that
you have a coolant leak, which may be coming from a blown head gasket.


SIX CAUSES OF WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST

There are a few components that could be to blame for white smoke.


1. BLOWN HEAD GASKET

The thought of a faulty head gasket is enough to strike fear into the hearts of
most motorists, who know how expensive it can be to replace. The head gasket is
responsible for sealing the internal combustion process in the engine, keeping
oil and coolant separate. When it fails, the two fluids can mix, with serious
consequences.



SIGNS OF A BLOWN HEAD GASKET

 * White smoke from the exhaust

 * Overheating engine

 * Loss of power

 * Oil contamination

If you’ve noticed any of the above symptoms, you should stop driving and contact
a mechanic. 

Continuing to drive will cause further damage, resulting in a more expensive
repair bill. Head gasket sealants may provide a temporary fix if you catch the
problem early enough, but they should never be relied on in the long term.

This guide explains what happens when your head gasket is replaced.

Since head gasket replacements are notoriously expensive - costing £680.59 on
average, according to WhoCanFixMyCar’s data - it’s a good idea to shop around
for the best price.

Compare head gasket repair prices


2. DAMAGED RADIATOR



A corroded radiator may allow coolant to leak into parts of the engine where it
shouldn’t be, producing thick white smoke when burnt. 

Replacing a car radiator costs around £269.87 typically and may be required if
the damage is too extensive to patch up with sealant. A mechanic will check for
leaks, remove the damaged radiator, flush the system, and install a new
radiator.

Compare radiator repair and replacement prices


3. CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK

The symptoms of a cracked engine block are very similar to those of a blown head
gasket, and both problems are expensive to repair - the former even more so than
the latter. 

A cracked engine block can be caused by freezing in winter if you don’t use
antifreeze (or if you top it up with too much water), overheating, and impacts
from other broken engine components.

Sealants like K-Seal HD may provide a temporary fix if the crack is small. Other
repair options include welding, which involves stripping all internal components
from the engine before proceeding. The crankshaft and camshaft-bearing journals
may need to be line-bored to counter the effects of heat distortion. This repair
job is, as you can imagine, costly.

The final option is to replace the engine block - this may be necessary if the
damage is extensive. It can cost anywhere between £1000 and £6000.

Book an engine repair


4. CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD

The cylinder head covers numerous moving parts, including fuel injectors and
valves. It is at the top of the engine; the bottom is called the engine block.
When the cylinder head cracks, you may notice your engine overheating, leaking
coolant and white smoke from the exhaust.

Read this guide for more information about how car engines work.

The repair options are similar to a cracked engine block - sealants can
temporarily fix small amounts of damage, welding may be possible, and if the
crack is extensive, you could be looking at a replacement. Specialist garages
may offer alternative solutions, so it’s worth shopping around.

The price of replacing a cylinder head varies, but you can expect to pay at
least £600 and possibly more than £1500.

Find a garage near you


5. DAMAGED RADIATOR HOSES

Radiator hoses transport coolant around the engine, moving it from the radiator
to the hottest areas and back, allowing the heat to be expelled. They are
designed to withstand extreme temperatures, intense pressures, dirt, sludge and
oil. However, they are not invincible.

Cracks sometimes appear with age, allowing coolant to leak out, and they can
also be damaged by abrasion from rubbing against other components. 



SIGNS OF DAMAGED RADIATOR HOSES

 * Low coolant

 * Overheating engine

 * White smoke

 * Visible kinks or cracks

 * Spongy/soft feel to hose

Fortunately, damaged radiator hoses aren’t expensive to repair compared to the
other problems listed above, typically costing between £100-150.

Book a radiator hose repair


6. CONDENSATION

As previously mentioned, white smoke from your exhaust doesn’t necessarily
indicate an expensive repair bill is coming your way. It could be due to
condensation in the exhaust pipe evaporating as the metal heats up, creating
steam. 



You’ll know this is the case if the white smoke appears when you start the
engine but disappears after a few minutes and doesn’t return while driving.


WHITE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST OF A DIESEL CAR

In a diesel car, white smoke indicates fuel is not burning correctly. The most
likely cause is damaged fuel injectors. If they leak or become stuck, they will
put too much diesel into the combustion chamber, some of which can’t be burnt,
leaving the exhaust in a plume of white smoke.

Fuel injectors usually cost around £185.35 to replace.

Compare fuel injector replacement prices


HOW TO GET RID OF WHITE EXHAUST SMOKE

You can’t determine how to get rid of your car’s white exhaust smoke until you
know what’s causing it, and to find out this information, you may need the help
of a mechanic.

Possible solutions include:

 * Seal or replace the head gasket

 * Replace damaged radiator hoses

 * Repair or replace the cylinder head

 * Repair or replace the engine block

 * Repair or replace the radiator

Booking an engine diagnostic is the best course of action if you’re still unsure
what’s to blame for your car’s unusual smoke.

Book an engine diagnostic

If you found this guide helpful, you might also like…

 * Why is my car overheating?

 * Diagnose car problems & find the right fix

 * Why does my car make a hissing noise?

 * What car warning lights mean

 * Why has my engine management light come on?

 * The ultimate guide to exhausts

 * How much does it cost to repair an exhaust?

 * Can you drive with a broken exhaust?

 * Why is my car shaking?

 * Why is my car misfiring?

 * Why can I smell petrol in my car?

 * Why is there blue smoke coming from my exhaust?

 * Why is there black smoke coming from my exhaust?




RELATED GUIDES


 * DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER CLEANING EXPLAINED
   
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   likely to cost.
   
   Ellie Dyer-Brown, 22 hours ago3 min read
    * Cost
    * Maintenance
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 * WHY IS MY CAR MAKING A CLICKING NOISE?
   
   WhoCanFixMyCar looks at some of the reasons why your car might be making a
   clicking noise and how to fix them.
   
   Ellie Dyer-Brown, 2 days ago5 min read
    * Diagnostic


 * WHY IS MY CAR MAKING A GRINDING NOISE?
   
   WhoCanFixMyCar explains why your car might be making a grinding noise and
   what you can do to fix it.
   
   Ellie Dyer-Brown, 13 days ago5 min read
    * Diagnostic


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