What causes smoke on startup?
When it’s cold outside and you notice white smoke at startup, then you probably have nothing to worry about. What is this? When the warm or hot exhaust gases meet cold outside air, condensation and steam is a result. After a short amount of driving, the white smoke should lessen.
What does a puff of white smoke on startup?
The most common cause of white smoke is a coolant leak in your engine. It can’t hurt to check your vehicle for a coolant leak to rule it out. Other causes of white smoke worth checking out include: Cracked or warped cylinder head (this may cause a coolant leak)
Can I drive car with white smoke?
White Smoke It could be overheating, and if it is, you need to stop driving as soon as you can. You could end up seriously damaging your vehicle if you choose to just ignore it. If the smoke smells sweet, then there is an issue with your coolant.
What causes white smoke on petrol engine?
If your exhaust system is producing a thick, white smoke – you may have a problem. Many times, this thick smoke is due to the likes of a blown head gasket, damaged cylinder, or a cracked engine block, which is causing coolant to burn.
Is it normal for a diesel to smoke on startup?
As a general rule, some smoke upon initial startup for a few moments is common, Urso notes. “Black smoke is traditionally associated with a rich combustion process or an overload (abnormal mechanical resistance),” he continues. “White smoke (contingent on its odor) signifies insufficient temperature.
Is white smoke on cold start normal?
1 Answer. @thedean , Dean, 5w20 oil is fine, Some white smoke at start up from cold engine is fairly normal and will dissipate (stop) for the most part after engine and exhaust has warmed up to operating temperature. If you notice you are low on coolant or having to add coolant then there could be an issue.
How do I stop my diesel from smoking at startup?
If white smoke occurs during a startup in freezing temperatures, then goes away, it usually indicates frozen deposits of soot which expanded around the rings then burned away once the engine warmed up. The use of glow plugs during cold startsand/or the use of a flushing solvent to remove engine sludge is recommended.
What does white smoke mean when starting a diesel engine?
Usually, white smoke indicates that the diesel fuel is not burning correctly. Unburned diesel fuel will make its way through the exhaust completely unused. Be careful of white smoke as it will irritate your eyes and skin.
Is white smoke on cold start normal diesel?
A plume of white smoke is generally most noticeable at diesel startup, particularly when it’s cold. This is due to the fact that colder air, which is more dense than warm air, lowers temperatures in engine cylinders at the end of the compression stroke.
Why does my diesel smoke when I start?
You get an incomplete combustion during startup and it causes raw diesel fuel to come out of the stack.” Typically, white smoke clears up very quickly. “As you start running the engine at idle speed, 650 or 700 rpm, you actually get a more effective compression ratio.
Is it normal for a diesel to smoke when cold?