What Causes White Smoke from Engine Exhaust?
2 Answers
White smoke from engine exhaust is caused by the engine burning coolant. The reason the engine burns coolant is due to cracks in the cylinder block. When this occurs, the cylinder block and cylinder head gasket should be inspected. If cracks are found in the cylinder block or cylinder head gasket, they should be replaced promptly. An engine is a machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy. It was invented in England and can refer to both the power-generating device and the entire machine including the power unit (such as gasoline engines, aircraft engines). Engine types include internal combustion engines (e.g., gasoline engines), external combustion engines (e.g., Stirling engines, steam engines), and electric motors.
My old car also emitted white smoke last winter, and the mechanic said it was due to liquid entering the combustion chamber. The most common cause is coolant leaking into the cylinders, often due to a failing head gasket. If the white smoke has a sweet smell, stop the car immediately—engine overheating and cylinder scoring are no joke. Diesel engines are even more troublesome; it could be aging seals in the fuel pump allowing oil to mix into the combustion chamber, with the white smoke carrying a burnt smell. A small amount of white mist during cold starts in winter is normal—it’s just water vaporizing from the exhaust pipe, which should dissipate after driving a couple of kilometers. But if the thick white smoke persists, get it checked. My neighbor ignored it once and ended up spending 8,000 on a major repair.
