You can tell a lot about the condition of your truck based on the exhaust smoke coming from the tailpipe. This brief guide to different colors of exhaust smoke will help explain what’s going on in your exhaust system, allowing you to narrow down the potential problem.

The Good News & Bad News About White Smoke

Two forms of white smoke come from the exhaust, one much more serious than the other. A thin, light white smoke is normal and shouldn’t cause panic. Typically, water vapor is the most common component of this sort of smoke. It’s particularly noticeable on chilly mornings when you first start your car. This exhaust occurs when condensation forms in the exhaust system over time.

The white smoke that should greatly concern you is continuous, thick, and white. You may have a leaky head gasket if your truck produces a steady stream of thick, white, or gray smoke from the tailpipe.

A broken cylinder head or block is another possible cause of this exhaust; both are critical issues that require fixing as soon as possible. It’s wise not to put off repairs since doing so might cost you a lot of money.

Fuel Burning & Black Smoke

Black smoke from an engine is not always the worst type to worry about, especially if you have a diesel vehicle. But black smoke should be rare; thus, consistent black smoke might indicate a problem or a damaged engine.

Black smoke is a common indicator that the engine is burning too much gasoline for the quantity of air available—otherwise referred to as “running rich.” This might happen from a clogged air filter or fuel injectors malfunctioning.

A buildup of soot or a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) inside the exhaust system is another possible cause of black smoke in diesel vehicles. Puffs of black smoke are frequently the result of the DPF cleaning itself after a lengthy drive on the highway, when the exhaust may reach greater temperatures. A clogged or damaged filter will cause a significant loss of power and often trigger a dashboard warning light.

The Answers to Blue Smoke

Blue smoke with a hint of gray should raise your eyebrows. If your car’s engine emits a blue haze, its burning oil and the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve are likely broken. But if you’re very unfortunate, it may be because the piston rings are on their last days. Because of their location at the heart of the motor, fixing them may be costly and time-consuming.

Another cause for blue smoke could be an elevated oil level. This may happen when filling the sump to the brim and putting too much pressure on the crankcase. As a result, the extra oil will head down the cylinder wall and into the engine’s combustion chamber, leading to blue smoke instead of the usual white.

Finally, while we’re on the topic of oil, it’s crucial to use the correct grade since a lower-quality oil might seep past the piston rings and valve seals, eventually making its way into the combustion chamber.

Hopefully, this brief guide to different colors of exhaust smoke helps you decipher what’s going on with your vehicle. Blessed Performance has a 6.0 Powerstroke exhaust kit that could make a difference for your Ford truck. Contact us today to see if we can answer questions about your smoky exhaust.