Smoke from exhaust

Tiny
JERRY BROWN
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 97,000 MILES
Occasionally while backing slowly, not all the time, I see a puff or two of what appears to be light colored smoke from exhaust. Is this something major? What is the problem and solution? Thanks!
Saturday, October 7th, 2017 AT 10:59 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Could be a lot of things, really. If it has been raining lately, then it is probably just condensation in the exhaust pipe that is evaporating and getting pushed out of the tailpipe. If it's not that, then check the oil and coolant levels. When the engine is cold, raise the hood, take the radiator cap off and look at the coolant. If it is low, then you obviously have a leak somewhere that we will need to troubleshoot. Also, pull the oil dipstick. If it is low, then you have a leak. If it is milky or muddy looking, then look no further. You have a blown cylinder head gasket or possibly intake manifold gasket. Coolant is mixing in with your oil and getting into the combustion chamber, causing steam/smoke to come out of the tailpipe.

Clear as mud, right? So start with checking the coolant and oil and let us know. We will go from there.
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Sunday, October 8th, 2017 AT 10:01 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
I should have asked before, is it whitish, blueish, or grayish smoke?
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Sunday, October 8th, 2017 AT 10:06 AM

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