What Causes White Smoke from Tailpipes?

During this time of year, it can be hard to tell if you’ve got smoke coming from your tailpipes or steam due to the drastic temperature changes that we experience daily in the Lower Mainland.

However, if warming up your car and driving it for a while doesn’t clear the steam, it could be white smoke that you’re seeing. And if it is, it could mean catastrophe.

As a professional scrap car removal company serving Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley since 2005, we have seen it all. Our blog posts are comprised from our own experiences while buying and scrapping cars for cash in BC.

Why Is There White Smoke Coming from My Tailpipes?

Vehicles that have high mileage, are aging, or suffer from mechanical issues are often prone to their own little quirks.

However, if one of those quirks is smoke coming from your tailpipes, it could be an indication of something major going on under the hood.

It’s extremely important to have a professional give your exhaust a quick once over if you suspect smoke is coming from your tailpipes. Without it, you may end up scrapping a perfectly good vehicle due to delayed detective of major mechanical failure.

Causes of Smoke from Tailpipes on a Car

There are a variety of things that can cause white smoke to come from your tailpipe. However, discerning whether it’s smoke or steam can be tricky.

Which is why if you suspect an usual substance coming from your tailpipes, you should have a professional mechanic like our friends at Auto Star Mechanics in Burnaby.

1. Condensation

On newer vehicles, the “smoke” that is often seen coming from your tailpipes actually isn’t smoke, it’s condensation. Particularly at this time of year when it’s quite cold outside and the weather and temperatures are unpredictable.

The steam that comes out of your tailpipes in colder weather is due to the hot exhaust mixing with the cold temperature. This usually only last for a few minutes, depending on how cold it is outside.

It will also depend on whether or not the air is overly moist or humid. And how long it takes your vehicle to warm up.

2. A Coolant Leak

If it’s not steam coming from your exhaust pipes, it definitely could be smoke. And if it is, recognizing any other indicators that your vehicle is throwing off can be helpful in diagnosing the root cause.

Signs You Have a Coolant Leak Include:

• Puddles under your car when you park
• Fluid stains on the ground under where you normally park
• Engine overheating
• Difficulty regulating engine temperature
• Frequently low coolant levels, even after a top up
• White smoke coming from your tailpipes
• A noticeable sweet smell within the cabin of your vehicle

If you don’t properly address a suspected coolant leak, it can lead to serious damage creating thousands of dollars of needed repairs.

Failing to resolve mechanical issues is one of the main reasons people use our scrap car removal services. Because when the repairs outweigh your vehicle’s value, it’s more practical to scrap your car instead.

3. Blown Head Gasket

A blown head gasket often goes hand in hand with a coolant leak. Moreover, they share many of the same signs and symptoms.

The main difference being that if you have a blown head gasket, you’ll also notice that your engine oil appears milky in colour. Additionally, you may also notice bubbles in your coolant reservoir or radiator.

A blown head gasket is one of the most expensive repairs on a vehicle, next to an engine replacement or transmission repair/replacement. And it’s another common reason people end up scrapping their vehicles at More Cash For Scrap.

4. Cracked Engine Block

A cracked engine block can also produce white smoke coming from your tailpipes. And it’s another catastrophic mechanical failure that we see all too often in the scrap car removal industry.

Symptoms You Have a Cracked Engine Block Include:

• White smoke coming from your tailpipes
• Your engine overheats regularly (and quickly)
• A change or loss in overall engine performance
• Worsening gas mileage
• New and strange engine noises

In most cases, if your engine block is cracked, you’ll need to replace the engine. As when most people realize that their engine block is cracked, it’s too late.

However, if you catch it early on and the crack isn’t severe, you may be able to repair it. But ultimately, either repair or replacement will cost you a pretty penny. And it’s usually not worth doing if you’re driving a high mileage or aging vehicle.

5. Leaking Valve Seals or Piston Rings

Older vehicles are notorious for seal leaks. Because as a vehicle ages or accumulates high mileage, naturally, things begin to wear, stretch, and even break down.

One of the telltale signs that you have leaking valve seals or piston rings is white smoke coming from your exhaust system. But once again, white smoke can indicate a lot of things, so have it checked by a professional.

The most common causes of leaking valve seals are worn or damaged seals, oil contamination (metal shavings, coolant, etc), prolonged idling leading to high vacuum conditions, and being quick and heavy on the accelerator on a regular basis.

What to Do If I Have White Smoke Coming from My Tailpipes?

As you can see, a number of things can cause white smoke to come from your tailpipes. What’s more is that nearly all of them are very expensive to repair. Which is why early diagnosis is important.

At More Cash For Scrap, we see a lot of vehicles in a lot of different states. And more often than not, a lot of vehicles could have avoided being scrapped if their defects or mechanical failures were address earlier.

If you aren’t sure if you have smoke or steam coming from your tailpipes, have a professional mechanic check it out. It only takes a minute, and most mechanics won’t charge you anything for a quick visual inspection.

Cash for Cars with Mechanical Issues

Providing scrap car removal in Metro Vancouver is something we are passionate about. We have been scrapping cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, hybrids, and commercial vehicles in the Lower Mainland since 2005.

Unlike some scrap car buyers, we aren’t picky about what we purchase either. No wheels, keys, or registration? No problem! Needs a new engine, transmission, or head gasket? Don’t worry, we’ll buy it!

We offer MORE cash for scrap cars in ANY condition, no matter how scrappy or how severe the mechanical issues are. That’s why we are the #1 scrap car removal company in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley.

How Much Cash Do We Pay for Junk Cars?

Every vehicle has a completely different value because they all come to us in different conditions.

And unlike other junk car removal companies, we customize our offers instead of providing people with a lower flat rate. This is how we ensure that you really do get MORE cash for cars in Vancouver!

Provide us with the make, model, year, condition, mileage, and location of your vehicle. We’ll present you with an instant cash offer right over the phone. No vehicle inspection is ever needed!

Contact Our Scrap Car Removal Team Today!

If you accept our offer, we’ll dispatch our free towing service to come collect your vehicle. This can be done at a time that works best for you.

Our scrap car removal services are available 7 days a week, from 7:00 AM-11:00 PM. We also operate on most statutory holidays.

Once our driver arrives, he’ll load up your vehicle and pay you cash in hand before leaving. We even provide free towing from anywhere in the Lower Mainland!

Just give us a call, send us a text, or even write us an email to get an instant cash offer. Come see for yourself how we truly offer MORE of everything when it comes to scrap car removal!