Too much smoke coming from the exhaust - Lancer Mitsubishi Cars & Trucks

Looks fun. If you have smoke coming from the exhaust it could be one of three problems. First, if it is black smoke that would indicate too much fuel. Possible cause-carburetor. Second, if the smoke is white possible cause is water or coolant in the system. Possible head gaskets . Third, if blue smoke,excessive oil usage.

he causes of white exhaust smoke can vary; however, it is common to see white exhaust smoke when first starting a car, especially on cooler days. This is generally steam caused by condensation. As the engine warms up and the condensation dissipates the white exhaust smoke (steam) is no longer seen. If excessive white exhaust smoke is present well after the engine warms up, it is necessary to have the car inspected for possible internal coolant leaks. Indicators of an internal coolant leak include billowing white exhaust smoke accompanied by a sweet odor or a low coolant reservoir level. An internal coolant leak can also contaminate the engine oil giving it a frothy, milky appearance. Even small amounts of coolant entering the combustion chamber will produce white exhaust smoke.
One of the main causes of white exhaust smoke and coolant loss is a cracked or warped cylinder head, a cracked engine block, or head gasket failure caused by overheating. A cracked head may allow coolant to leak into one or more cylinders or into the combustion chamber of the engine. Dirty coolant, a poorly maintained cooling system, a low coolant level, or a non-functioning cooling fan can cause engine overheating. In addition, engine wear can eventually cause the gaskets to lose their capacity to seal properly allowing internal coolant loss. Intake manifold gasket and head gasket failures are two of the most common sources of internal coolant loss caused by engine wear.
Never remove the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot or running as it can cause serious injury; always allow the car to cool down completely first. Checking for a low coolant level in the reservoir is the first step in determining if coolant loss is causing the white exhaust smoke. If the coolant reservoir is at the proper level but excessive white exhaust smoke is present, a cooling system pressure check is required to determine where, if any, coolant leaks are located.

What is year--make--model?
Are you losing coolant? The white smoke may be coolant in the combustion cylinder, possibly caused by a head gasket problem. If head gasket problem, fix that first.

With idle issues, clean/check anything that has to do with idle air system. Any applicable trouble codes?

Here's a link on why your vehicle has blue smoking coming out of the exhaust. Blue Smoke From Exhaust

Smoke - Joseph Auto Service

www.josephautoservice.com/faq_smoke.html
Description of problem: You notice a grayish smoke coming from the exhaust when you start your ... However, if the smoke continues after the engine is warmed up, there is a problem. ... Do not look for the problem while the fire is still burning.
images for fire & smoke coming up the exhaust

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-repair/causes-of-white-exhaust-smoke


Causes of White Exhaust Smoke

Head Gasket Failure or some reason to
dump coolant when hot, out the exhaust

If smoke is black indicates too much fuel
If smoke is white Could be coolant in the exhaust system
If smoke is blue possible excessive oil entering in the combustion system
Also if you have an automatic transmission with a vacuum modulator, it could be leaking transmission into the combustion
If you have too much oil in the engine, it will also smoke

white smoke out off exhaust is coolant getting into cyl like a bad head gasket to much fuel would be black smoke

Hi dluv, what color is the smoke coming from your exhaust? Is it black,blue, grey or white?