Lucas Auto Care advises that you should never see excessive amounts of exhaust flowing out of your European automobile’s tailpipe. This is a bad sign that the engine has a serious fluid leak. The color of the exhaust points to the fluid that is leaking out of the engine. In all cases, it is dangerous to continue to drive your European automobile as you may cause serious damage to the engine. Let’s talk more about this below and how we can help.
Black
If there is visible black smoke flowing out of the tailpipe, your European automobile is burning fuel in the engine. Naturally, this can make driving the vehicle dangerous because fuel is flammable. You do not want to start an engine fire or see sparks or flames coming out of the tailpipe. Rather than drive your automobile to our shop, call for a tow truck to avoid operating the vehicle when the engine is burning away a fuel hemorrhage inside of it.
Blue
Exhaust that looks blue or gray is a sign that your engine is hemorrhaging motor oil. This makes driving your European automobile dangerous for a different reason. An oil leak means that there is not enough motor oil circulating through the engine to protect it. Consequently, continuing to drive the vehicle may damage the engine beyond repair because it is not being protected and kept cool by the motor oil. Again, it’s better to have your vehicle towed to our shop.
White
If you see a ton of white exhaust flowing out of your European automobile’s tailpipe, the engine is hemorrhaging coolant. Alongside the exhaust, your engine will most likely overheat because there is not enough coolant circulating through it to keep the temperature below 220 degrees Fahrenheit. As with the other two leaks discussed above, it’s better to avoid driving your vehicle if it is hemorrhaging coolant and burning it away.
Clear
Finally, if you cannot see the exhaust flowing out of your European automobile’s tailpipe, this is actually a good sign. This is a sign that the exhaust is treated and safe emissions are being released from the tailpipe. In most cases, you should never be able to see the exhaust. Rather, it will appear as if nothing is flowing out of the tailpipe. The only time you may see the exhaust is if the weather is cold outside.
Call Lucas Auto Care in Cypress, TX, today if you can see your European automobile’s exhaust. We will find the fluid leak and fix it.
