White Smoke from exhaust!!

[melina munster]

Hello, my car just went over the 100,000 mile point, and ever since then every time I turn on the car (in the morning) it spits out this whitish smoke from the exhaust that last about 30 seconds & then it goes away & doesn't return until the next morning. I have no clue what it is at this point and like everyone else I don't want to get ripped off by a mechanic so I kinda want to get an idea of the problem I'm dealing with and how much it would run.

Thanks

[mp3-79bronco]

mine does this also... i believe its just from oil leaking past the valve seals overnight and getting burned up when first started.....i wouldnt worry about fixing it...

[melina munster]

Really?
But do you think it would eventually screw up the engine or I really shouldn't sweat it? It's just that that cloud of smoke it does is freaky & it smells funky too

[MSP2024]

if it starts getting worse i would check it out as for now you shouldnt worry about it

[speedracer]

White smoke usually means water... head gasket maybe?
black or blue is oil

[pasadena_commut]

every time I turn on the car (in the morning) it spits out this whitish smoke from the exhaust that last about 30 seconds & then it goes away & doesn't return until the next morning.

It could be oil, but it could also just be condensation in the exhaust system. Has it been cold (condensation nearer the motor) and/or damp (condensation near the muffler) where you are lately?

Also keep an eye on your coolant and oil levels.

[melina munster]

It could be oil, but it could also just be condensation in the exhaust system. Has it been cold (condensation nearer the motor) and/or damp (condensation near the muffler) where you are lately?

Also keep an eye on your coolant and oil levels.

It's been a little cold (I park in an understructure) but I have been hearing about it maybe being the coolant level, so I think i'll go get that checked out... thanks!

[i12drivemyMP5]

Ignoring either is an eventual recipe for more & worsening problems.

[bazooka joe]

if it was a head gasket wouldn't it be white smoke all day long? sounds like cool morning condensation to me...

[Sveivo]

Are you sure it's not just steam/condensation? Water in the muffler gets hot and evaporates.

[speedracer]

not if it's just the beginning of the gasket going bad leaking while it sits
and burning off when starting. I've encountered this in two of my old Pontiac 4 bangers.

[Sveivo]

Well, that's interesting.

[MSP2024]

Are you sure it's not just steam/condensation? Water in the muffler gets hot and evaporates.

that is what i thought cuz mine does that when i first start it and you can see on the ground where the water has come out, and it stops "smoking" fast

[FightClubTheory]

Might be a bit of extra effort, but maybe a video would help people diagnose the problem by showing the smoke from a cold start?

[P-Funk!]

Wait to see if it happens on a warm day as well.

I suspect normal cold/burn off. Esp. if this the first cold spell she is going through with you...

[Gasological]

White smoke on startup (but only cold start, not if you park it for a couple minutes and then turn her over), ESPECIALLY if it smells funny, is likely the head gasket. As the engine warms up and you build pressure, the coolant doesn't leak in anymore, hence the smoke stopping.

Fix schedule depends on how long you intend to keep the car. Need a few years out of it? Get it fixed, sooner the better. Need another year or two out of it? Keep a good eye on the coolant level, and good luck.