If you want to know what’s going on inside your vehicle’s engine, pay attention to the exhaust system. As the engine burns fuel and creates exhaust, lots of different things are happening. Unfortunately, burning oil, evaporating coolant and leaving unburned fuel in the exhaust are things that aren't supposed to happen. Maybe what seems to be engine trouble is just a worn out muffler, but it’s hard to know without an inspection.
There are a couple of ways to understand what’s happening in your vehicle’s exhaust system-- the color and smell of the emissions from the muffler.
If you notice…
- Blue or Gray Smoke: If gray or blue smoke comes from the muffler when you start your car, it may seem to disappear after the car warms up, but in reality, it is just less noticeable. Grey smoke indicates that oil has gotten into the combustion chamber or on the cylinder head, indicating an oil leak. Even though this is easy to find, it can be expensive to fix. The best case scenario, however, is that your vehicle simply needs an oil change.
- White Smoke or Water Vapor: You may see white smoke coming from the muffler when you start your car when it’s cold outside. However, if it’s still there after the car warms up, it could be coolant leaking into the combustion chamber, caused by a crack in the coolant pipe. Or, there may be a crack in the cylinder head or the exhaust port facility. These are serious problems and will usually require extensive work in the exhaust system.
- Black Smoke: Black smoke may come from the muffler when you start your car and it may or may not disappear after the car warms up. The engine may be running rough or misfiring. Black smoke often signifies a more serious problem, an indication that your engine is burning oil. This could mean you have a blocked air filter, or your injection system is malfunctioning.
If your muffler reflects any of the exhaust system problems above, have it checked out by a certified auto mechanic as soon as possible. It’s true that a little prevention now can save a more costly repair down the road.
Need an inspection of your vehicle’s exhaust system? Contact the ASE-Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go online at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
If you want to know what’s going on inside your vehicle’s engine, pay attention to the exhaust system. As the engine burns fuel and creates exhaust, lots of different things are happening. Unfortunately, burning oil, evaporating coolant and leaving unburned fuel in the exhaust are things that aren't supposed to happen. Maybe what seems to be engine trouble is just a worn out muffler, but it’s hard to know without an inspection.
There are a couple of ways to understand what’s happening in your vehicle’s exhaust system-- the color and smell of the emissions from the muffler.
If you notice…
- Blue or Gray Smoke: If gray or blue smoke comes from the muffler when you start your car, it may seem to disappear after the car warms up, but in reality, it is just less noticeable. Grey smoke indicates that oil has gotten into the combustion chamber or on the cylinder head, indicating an oil leak. Even though this is easy to find, it can be expensive to fix. The best case scenario, however, is that your vehicle simply needs an oil change.
- White Smoke or Water Vapor: You may see white smoke coming from the muffler when you start your car when it’s cold outside. However, if it’s still there after the car warms up, it could be coolant leaking into the combustion chamber, caused by a crack in the coolant pipe. Or, there may be a crack in the cylinder head or the exhaust port facility. These are serious problems and will usually require extensive work in the exhaust system.
- Black Smoke: Black smoke may come from the muffler when you start your car and it may or may not disappear after the car warms up. The engine may be running rough or misfiring. Black smoke often signifies a more serious problem, an indication that your engine is burning oil. This could mean you have a blocked air filter, or your injection system is malfunctioning.
If your muffler reflects any of the exhaust system problems above, have it checked out by a certified auto mechanic as soon as possible. It’s true that a little prevention now can save a more costly repair down the road.
Need an inspection of your vehicle’s exhaust system? Contact the ASE-Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive by calling (763) 389-3811, or go online at https://www.rumriverauto.com/ for more information. Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
