thick white discharge

Causes white diesel exhaust smoke

If you notice large white smoke emissions when starting the engine, the most likely cause is that there is water in the exhaust pipe

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1054 GM White Smoke Diesel Engines

Water in the drains is one of the most common causes of white smoke. If when starting the engine there are large emissions of white smoke, the most likely cause is that there is water in the exhaust pipe: the white color is, in fact, given by the presence of water vapor, this happens especially in winter and for limited periods of time. However, in diesel engines, water may not be the only cause of white smoke. To cause the white smoke can also be the nebulized diesel fuel or if too much water has condensed in the tank, in this case it is advisable to treat the mixture with products that "clean" the diesel fuel. Another common cause of white smoke is the breaking of the head gasket or the head motor bolts have come loose. Also the temperature of the pistons or a blocked piston cause white smoke and loss of engine power. Another problem that is clearly visible in white smoke emissions is the delayed injection time due to dirty or worn injectors. Finally, another cause is the low cylinder pressure due to the wear of the components or the valve seals which, besides causing white smoke and loss of engine power, damage the engine. Apart from the case of water leaking from the exhaust pipe due to low external temperatures, in all other cases, in addition to white smoke, there is also a real reduction in the overall performance of the car for which maintenance in the workshop is required. To summarize, therefore, the main causes of white smoke from the exhaust pipes of a diesel engine are:

    Water in the exhaust pipes (non-serious problem);
    Water in the fuel;
    Worn head gasket;
    Dirty injectors;
    Broken valves.