What does the smoke color means in diesel car and petrol car?

  • Context: Automotive 
  • Thread starter Thread starter ruxy667
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Car Color Smoke
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of smoke color in diesel and petrol cars. Black smoke in petrol vehicles indicates a rich fuel mixture or a blocked air filter, while blue smoke signifies worn engines burning oil. Diesel engines exhibit black smoke due to partial combustion or blocked filters, and blue smoke also indicates oil burning. White smoke in both types can suggest issues such as burning brake fluid or unburnt fuel, particularly in cold weather. The conversation emphasizes that smoke color is a diagnostic tool but should not be solely relied upon for troubleshooting.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of internal combustion engine (ICE) mechanics
  • Familiarity with fuel injection systems in petrol and diesel engines
  • Knowledge of engine diagnostics and troubleshooting techniques
  • Basic concepts of exhaust emissions and their implications
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the impact of air filters on engine performance and emissions
  • Learn about the function and maintenance of diesel injectors
  • Investigate the role of catalytic converters in exhaust systems
  • Explore common causes and solutions for engine oil burning in vehicles
USEFUL FOR

Automotive mechanics, vehicle maintenance professionals, and car enthusiasts seeking to understand engine performance issues related to exhaust smoke color.

ruxy667
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Hi there, i just started to learn mechanic about few years ago and I wanted to know about car smoke color,

What does the smoke color means in disel car and petrol car, Black,Blue,Grey,White smoke color?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Have you tried 'googling' the question about exhaust smoke.
Could be some info there to flush out.

PS
Hi
 
256bits said:
Have you tried 'googling' the question about exhaust smoke.
Could be some info there to flush out.

PS
Hi
Yes I did but not clear
 
Welcome to PF.

Petrol Black, running rich, air filter blocked or carburettor faulty.
Petrol Blue, worn engine burning lubricating oil.
Petrol Grey, lean, insufficient fuel, or too much air, also check engine timing.
Petrol White, burning brake fluid sucked into manifold by faulty vacuum brake booster.

Diesel Black, partial combustion, blocked air filter. Too much fuel delivered to injectors, or injectors dribbling, not spraying, may be due to blocked fuel filter.
Diesel Blue, worn engine burning oil.
Diesel Grey, rare, turbo bearings maybe.
Diesel White, unburnt fuel, when failing to start in cold weather, or with poor compression.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters and Lnewqban
Welcome! :smile:
Consider also that right after start up, when a healthy engine is cold, visible water vapor, and even water, could emanate from the exhaust pipe.
 
Baluncore said:
Petrol White, burning brake fluid sucked into manifold by faulty vacuum brake booster.
Or burning coolant fluid because of a leaky head or manifold gasket, or a cracked cylinder head or engine block.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gmax137, sophiecentaur, sandy stone and 1 other person
And by strange coincidence, this popped up in my Facebook feed today:

1704989725153.png

https://www.facebook.com/MechanicalEngineering1234
 
Visible smoke indicates a problem, or a transient startup condition. Smoke colour alone cannot be relied upon, it is just another technique, used to confirm or confuse the diagnosis of a problem.

These days, new diesel engines perform more like petrol engines, while new petrol engines have injection issues, more like diesels. The problems are converging, as ICE technology struggles to improve, in a losing battle against EVs.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Rive
Even a perfectly good car will 'smoke' white - in a weather cold enough.

But in general, any smoke is just about 'trouble' these days.
 
  • #10
Rive said:
But in general, any smoke is just about 'trouble' these days.
And, with electric vehicles, even more so.
 
  • Like
  • Love
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: Nik_2213, Bystander, jack action and 1 other person
  • #11
Also, what about catalytic convertors ? Until they get up to optimal temperature, they're going to be passing 'stuff'.

And, {cough} diesel engines with hacked 'engine controller', trading performance plus fumes for economy ?

Oh, and is the diesel's 'AdBlue' tank in need of re-fill ??
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
5K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
23K
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 39 ·
2
Replies
39
Views
6K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
11K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • · Replies 40 ·
2
Replies
40
Views
4K