All of a sudden my car smokes?

Tiny
SMIDDGET2
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 TOYOTA CAMRY SOLARA
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 236,000 MILES
All of a sudden, my car smokes. Smokes really bad. My oil is fine, and it doesn't overheat. It seems like when I start it, it gets worse and worse.
Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 AT 1:18 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
AL514
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,792 POSTS
Hello, what color smoke does it look like, and is the Check Engine Light on?

It's possible a fuel injector has gone bad, if they stick open because of a wiring issue or mechanical problem with the injector itself, the engine will just pour out whitish blue smoke or black smoke. Black smoke is more of partially burned fuel, meaning the engine is running rich. I have seen fuel injectors short out and be stuck on due to damaging the engine computer internal driver that controls the injector.

Or it could be an issue with the head gasket. You can check that first thing in the morning when the engine is still cold, don't open the radiator cap when the engine is hot, but in the morning before you start the car, open the cap and then start the engine, watch for any bubbles coming out of the radiator opening. They would be compression gases escaping the cooling system. You will most likely have low coolant as well, depending on how long the vehicle has been like this.
Head gasket issues don't usually happen all of the sudden, is this is a problem that just came on one day, but here are couple of guides explaining and testing for a head gasket problem.
If it is a fuel injector issue, the engine computer (ECM/PCM) should set a cylinder misfire code and store it in the computer then set the check engine light on.

Regardless of what is causing the smoke, you will want to get it checked out right away, because the longer this condition remains, it will damage the Catalytic Converter by contamination or over heating it causing it to melt down and restrict the exhaust, in which case it will end up in a no start condition. Plus, a Catalytic converter is very expensive to replace.
This is a chemical test you can get at an auto parts store, which will change colors if there are combustion gases entering the cooling system. The package comes with instructions, it is very basic.
While you are at the auto parts store, they can scan the engine computer for any stored trouble codes that can help diagnose the issue.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/recognizing-the-symptoms-understanding-a-blown-head-gasket-in-your-vehicle

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-black-smoke
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Tuesday, October 15th, 2024 AT 2:36 PM

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