Why is there heavy white smoke and strong odor from the car's exhaust pipe?
2 Answers
White smoke from a car's exhaust pipe is generally a normal phenomenon, but if there is a large amount of white smoke, it may indicate that the engine piston is faulty and starting to burn oil. As for the odor, it is usually caused by the release of silicon material inside the catalytic converter when heated, which is normal. However, if the pungent smell becomes increasingly strong, it is recommended to have it inspected and repaired at a service center. Here is more related information: 1. Normal white smoke: Normal white smoke occurs because the exhaust gases coming out of the pipe are at a high temperature, and the high-temperature water vapor rapidly turns into small water droplets in the cooler air, creating "white smoke," which is physically known as liquefaction. If there is a large amount of white smoke, it could be due to damaged engine pistons starting to burn oil. 2. Excessive moisture: If there is too much moisture in the gasoline, it is recommended to clean the throttle body. If the gasoline contains water, check for leaks of water or oil at the junction of the cylinder head and gasket. If leaks are found, it indicates a damaged cylinder gasket causing the leakage. 3. White smoke in low temperatures: White smoke during cold starts is normal and should disappear as the engine warms up. However, if the smoke increases and persists when accelerating, along with a worsening pungent smell, it is advisable to have it inspected and repaired at a 4S shop.
I used to encounter this issue frequently when driving my old car. White smoke from the exhaust pipe accompanied by a pungent odor usually indicates a problem with the engine cooling system, such as a damaged cylinder head gasket allowing coolant to leak into the combustion chamber and burn, producing that white smoke and distinctive sweet smell. If the odor resembles something burnt, it might be engine oil participating in combustion. If not repaired promptly, the engine can overheat or even become irreparable. I once delayed repairs and ended up paying double the cost. I recommend checking immediately if the coolant level is dropping rapidly or if the temperature gauge spikes while driving. Park the car and take it to a repair shop as soon as possible—don’t let a minor issue escalate. It’s both cost-effective and safer.
