White Smoke or Steam?

Tiny
SRAWLS5
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
A puff of white smoke comes out of exhaust when I start car every morning. I've been told by a few people it is normal and probably due to change in tempature. The tempature in my garage is usually hot. Not sure if that can cause problem or not. A mechanic recommended I have the radiator flush several months ago. Can this cause problem?
Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 9:37 PM

38 Replies

Tiny
LEGITIMATE007
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,121 POSTS
I would pay attention to my coolant level, if you have to keep putting coolant in it every couple of days/or a week then you may have a bad head gasket or warped head, flushing the radiator sounds like a good idea, do that and get your 50/50 coolant and see what happens, but I dont think that will cause a puff of smoke when u start your car, but its a good measure to flush your coolant system anyway. Check out this guide will tell you more if it is normal or you have a problem

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/white-smoke-or-steam-coming-from-the-exhaust-pipe

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, June 24th, 2008 AT 10:15 PM
Tiny
WILMA_NEWSOM
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
Engine Performance problem
2003 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Automatic 68000 miles

What would cause my car to release white exhaust smoke? I have only noticed this when I start my car in the morning after it has sit over night.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
White smoke on a cold starts normally happens due to condensation but when the engine comes up on its normal operating temperature and it shows up again-could mean a blown headgasket/cracked head or block.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CAMRYHI
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 TOYOTA CAMRY
2003 Toyota Camry 4 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic

White smoke comes from my exhaust in the morning when I first start my car.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BLUELIGHTNIN6
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,542 POSTS
It often means that you are burning antifreeze. Sometimes when the head gasket goes it will produce a passage for the antifreeze to pass from the capillaries into the combustion chamber. You need to have gasket checked. Check compressions in heads at each spark plug. You may also have a cracked head. Heads can be tested for cracks at most major repair shops.

Also check your oil for discoloration. If it is a brownish color it could mean your oil and antifreeze are mixing and has the potential to damage your bearings.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BWHIT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 TOYOTA CAMRY
2001 Camry, auto, 4cyl, 177,000 miles. Heater only worked one time today, and there was a strange odor, after 15 miles, car overheated, and white? Smoke/steam came from under hood. I pulled over, let it cool off, and put water in the radiator. About 1/2 gallon. Drove 4 miles, and it was fine, with the thermostat needle in the middle between hot and cold. Afraid to drive it now, not knowing what the problem is.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

You first must investage the coolant loss, A pressure test will show up a failed hose or radiator core. 1/2 Gal or 2 litres of water is a fair amount to loose so a leak should not be that hard to locate.

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:53 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TYLERTSOMERSET
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 147,000 MILES
Ok so last night in Somerset KY is was like -2 degrees and I knew my car would be cold when I started it in my garage the next morning so I went out and started it and my 1999 Chevrolet Suburban. They both started excellently but I noticed on my Camry there was a buttload of white exhaust smoke coming out the tail pipe and hardly any coming out of my suburban's tail pipe. I know when it is cold white smoke will come out. I have noticed this problem for a while well about 2 months. It usually is still putting out the same out on my 40 minute drive to work. All the way there and when I get there. The check engine light come on and Auto Zone said I needed a new oxygen sensor. But I could go without it. I am going to put one on in the next week or so. Is that the problem or is there a more serious problem?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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An oxygen sensor won't do that-sounds like your burning coolant- other then the condensation get it block and pressure tested to rule out a blown headgasket

Are you still getting the white smoke after the engine is fully warmed-up?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CLORTIZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 10,800 MILES
When I start my car in the morning and after being parked all day I noticed it throws out white smoke. What is it? It does not misfire, it runs good. I do not smell oil. Please help
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Most likely the beginings of a headgasket failure keep eye on oil if it starts to turn like chocolate malt stop driving and get this repaired. Also check coolant level
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KUDERVILLE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1996 TOYOTA CAMRY
Transmission problem
1996 Toyota Camry 4 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

My son was driving the other night and his engine light came on and the car started emitting white smoke. He pulled off the road and found that he could no longer get it into any gear. Had to have it towed. I started it up once it was at home as I wanted to check the fluid level. I notice fluied underneath car after that on both sides. He recently had an oil change. Where is the place where you fill it with fluid. I am wondering if something is loose or?
Any ideas on what to check first? What could it be? I am trying to pinpoint more as I do not want to pay to tow it somewhere to find out it is a major expense that we cannot afford right now. Also, could the transmission issue cause the engine light to go on? Any advice is appreciated!
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
Unfortunately it sounds like you should tow it to a shop.

To fill up the oil, you remove the oil cap located on the valve cover. I have circled the area that the cap will be in red.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/276698_toy_oil_cap_1.jpg



if you meant where to top up the transmission fluid, you will have to remove the red dipstick that is in the front driver side of the engine compartment. You remove the dipstick and the oil goes down that thick tube.

Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground when checking oil level. Also, to check transmission fluid level the vehicle must be turned on.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ALSHOGRAN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 108,000 MILES
My car is smoking a white smoke some times and it is alot exactlly at morning? And it is eaten oil much? So what wrong with it
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

Is you car using coolant and running hot or over heating, dose it have a miss fire or run rough?

Mark (mhpautos)
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
YODAMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1995 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 271,500 MILES
Yesterday a plume of white smoke came from the exhaust pipe but only for a short period of time. What would cause this smoke?
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
--You're burning coolant in the cylinders-possibility here could be a blown headgasket, cracked head or block-intake manifold leak-Get it block and pressure tested
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If the smoke is slightly grey (blue) you have a problem of oil being burnt in the cylinders or being discharged into the exhaust from the exhaust valve seals.

Check you engine oil level.
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
YODAMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
KJLow2008,

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT!

The car had over 3 quarts to much oil which was causing the smoke. Once the oil was removed and the appropriate level of oil was achieved, the smoke went away and the car has been running like a gem ever since!

Thank you for your assistance!
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Yesterday A Plume Of White Smoke Came From The Exhaust Pipe
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Saturday, September 26th, 2020 AT 12:54 PM (Merged)

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