Different Colors of Diesel Exhaust and What They Mean

While all diesel engines produce a little bit of smoke every now and then, there is an amount of smoke that should be a cause for concern. The smoke that comes out of a diesel engine can take on a few different colors and each color corresponds to a different kind of problem. Knowing these smoke colors can help you figure out what the issue in your engine is and give you a better idea on how to fix it. We’ll go over the different colors of diesel exhaust and what they mean so they don’t take you by surprise.

Black Smoke

Black smoke occurs when there is a high level of carbon particles in the exhaust. Normally, your engine will break diesel fuel down into very small carbon chains that won’t be black as they exit the exhaust. But if there is a problem with the combustion inside your engine, longer chains of hydrocarbons will release in the form of black soot or smog. The cause of this problem could be in how much fuel gets delivered to the engine, either too much or too little, or how much air is getting into the engine, also either too much or too little.

White Smoke

If you start seeing white smoke coming out of your exhaust, you likely have a problem with your fuel injectors or a failed EGR cooler. White smoke tends to indicate that engine combustion isn’t burning correctly. You’ll want to take a look at your injectors to make sure they work properly. If you have a misfire you should be able to feel a slight vibration of lack of power indicating an injection problem. To check for an EGR cooler concern, first check your coolant level. It would be very low of empty. Coolant that is ingested into the engine can cause large billowing white smoke, lack of power concerns and even hydroclocking concerns. While you do so, be sure to protect yourself from inhaling or coming into contact with the white smoke, as it can irritate your lungs, skin, and eyes.

Blue Smoke

If you didn’t know that your exhaust could emit blue smoke, it’s probably because it’s the rarest kind of smoke that comes from an exhaust system. If you notice that your smoke is blue, it is an indication that your engine is actually burning oil. Small amounts of blue smoke in cold weather can actually be normal, but lots of blue smoke can mean that certain parts of your engine have worn down, such as valve guides, seals, cylinders, piston rings or turbocharger.

Knowing the different colors of diesel exhaust and what they mean will help you diagnose your vehicle quickly so you can take care of the problem. If you need new Dodge Ram exhaust parts, Norcal Diesel Performance has them ready to go. Just give us a call or check out our shop for information.

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