Used car engine exhaust and oil smell of engine

Tiny
ALILION12
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 SUZUKI ALTO
  • 1.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
Hi sir, I want to know that how we can know engine continence position from its exhaust. What does black, white and whitish blue smoke mean? Secondly how we can know access engine condition by smelling engine oil when buying? Can anybody send me picture of blue smoke and white smoke from engine exhaust so I could see the difference in both of them used car? Waiting for reply, thanks indeed.
Sunday, January 8th, 2017 AT 1:25 AM

2 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Not sure sure what exactly all that your asking? Do not have pictures of different colors of smoke from the exhaust pipe. Blue smoke is just that it is blue and would be heavy and would not quickly disappear. That is oil burning and a lot of it. Black smoke would be excessive fuel burning out the tail pipe. White smoke would be coolant burning out the tail pipe.
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Sunday, January 8th, 2017 AT 7:52 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,000 POSTS
Smoke colors are sort of subjective but in general.

White smoke from coolant burning looks like this -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3t-MQS-PYk

Blue smoke from oil burning as it drifts you can see the bluish tint to the smoke. This smoke will stink, it does not come close to smelling good. -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KICpEmJ8OKo

Black smoke - Hard to see it but it will be dark colored smoke, usually thin, sometimes you can small the excess fuel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmXuEs0OKJI

Engine oil -
Black oil - has not been changed or engine is sludged up inside.

Coolant in the oil, will smell sweet, look like a chocolate milkshake and be sticky. (see picture) If the vehicle has been sitting long enough the coolant may settle out. This is even worse as coolant does not lubricate and will destroy the bearings in a short time.

Gas/petrol in the oil - The oil will be very thin and smell of fuel, usually it will be dirty as well as the fuel has "cleaned" the deposits from the engine.
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Sunday, January 8th, 2017 AT 9:48 AM

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