Blue Smoke From The Exhaust (Causes & How To Repair It)

Automobile exhaust can inform you numerous concerning the situation of your automobile. At any time when every part is operating optimally, the exhaust ought to resemble a skinny white or very gentle cloud of water vapor. If you're noticing blue smoke from the exhaust, it’s an indication that one thing is fallacious. 

We evaluate a number of the prime causes of blue smoke from the exhaust. Our article additionally offers you some sensible tricks to resolve the issue as soon as and for all. 

What's Blue Smoke from Exhaust?

Blue smoke happens when oil mixes with gasoline within the combustion cycle. It will also be brought on by oil dripping onto sizzling engine elements. In some instances, blue exhaust smoke is an indication {that a} half has failed, such because the turbocharger or PCV valve. 

When blue smoke is current, it implies that oil is burning up and popping out of the exhaust pipe with the burned gas. No matter is inflicting it, the automobile is working inefficiently and ought to be repaired. 

Blue Smoke from Exhaust Causes

1. Oil within the combustion chamber

Because the engine ages, piston rings, valve seals and different important elements begin to wear down. Put on happens sooner in case you fail to carry out common oil modifications as a result of contaminated oil is much less efficient at lowering friction. 

If the valve seals turn into cracked and brittle, it's much less more likely to hold the fluids separate. That’s when oil begins to combine with the gas within the combustion chamber.

Blue smoke coming from the exhaust usually signifies that there's oil within the combustion chamber. Typically, that is brought on by worn out piston rings, which suggests chances are you'll want to switch the engine. 

RELATED: Black Smoke From Exhaust – Causes & How one can Repair it

2. Blown Turbocharger

If the turbo has blown out, there's a chance for blue smoke out of the exhaust. A blown turbo can imply one that's broken, however it additionally may very well be brought on by a leaking oil seal.

In both state of affairs, oil seeps into the engine. As soon as the oil has infiltrated the engine, it mixes with gas to create blue smoke. 

3. Piston Ring Harm

Piston rings are created to maintain the engine oil the place it belongs within the combustion chamber. Once they fail, the oil can circulate into the fallacious space. 

Because the oil mixes with the gas, it might create blue smoke. Sadly, changing piston rings can turn into very costly. 

RELATED: 4 Signs of a Dangerous Piston Ring

4. Dripping Oil

If one thing is fallacious with the automobile and sizzling oil is escaping out of the engine, it’s attainable that it's making contact with sizzling elements beneath the hood. As you speed up, you would possibly discover blue smoke coming from the again of the automobile due to the oil hitting the engine block. Whereas this isn’t truly coming from the exhaust, it'd appear like it's.

Oil can drop from a blown gasket within the engine block. When it seeps via, it makes its approach onto the new exhaust, resulting in blue smoke. Moreover, it might leak onto the headers, additionally inflicting blue smoke. 

If the smoke is coming from beneath the hood whenever you aren’t driving, it’s a telltale signal that oil is leaking. Sadly, when the top gasket is leaking, you may additionally must have a cylinder head changed. 

5. Caught PCV Valve

The Optimistic Crankcase Air flow (PCV) Valve also can trigger blue smoke from the exhaust. This valve is answerable for releasing the strain that builds up within the oil pan. Strain is routed into the consumption manifold, so fumes will be reburned.

When the PCV valve is caught, oil mixes with air and different gases. As a result of the consumption manifold can also be linked to the air filter, it might result in blue smoke.

RELATED: 7 Signs of a Dangerous PCV Valve

How one can Repair Blue Smoke from Exhaust

1. Take away Extra Oil

The only repair is to take away some oil from the system. This repair solely works if the blue smoke occurred immediately after performing an oil change.

It’s attainable that there’s an excessive amount of oil within the system. This situation causes aeration and strain, making it tougher for the engine to correctly cope with the warmth and friction. To resolve this concern, simply take away sufficient of the oil so the degrees are appropriate. 

RELATED: White Smoke from Exhaust – Frequent Causes & How one can Repair it

2. Clear Engine

If the engine hasn’t been cleaned shortly, it’s time to try it. When grime will get caught within the engine, it might clog the oil return holes within the cylinder head, inflicting a leak. 

Take away the valve cowl and clear off any particles that you just see. You additionally wish to clear out the drain again holes. Wipe down the engine to make sure there isn't a oil left behind that might trigger blue smoke.

As you clear off the engine, it’s a great time to examine it. For those who discover an space the place oil is likely to be leaking, repair the issue instantly. 

3. Change Piston Rings

Broken piston rings can create blue smoke, however this isn’t an issue that’s simple to cope with. Whereas the piston rings would possibly solely value about $50 every, the labor is what causes the invoice to get so hefty.

The engine have to be eliminated and disassembled to get to the rings. Anticipate to pay $1,000 or extra till your entire job is accomplished. 

4. Repair Turbocharger

If the turbocharger is blown, you will need to cease driving instantly. Driving a automobile with a blown turbo can result in a lot greater issues. 

In reality, metallic bits can type as a result of there isn't a lubrication within the turbocharger. This metallic could make its approach into the engine, resulting in everlasting harm. 

5. Change PCV Valve

It doesn’t value loads to switch the PCV valve. Plus, the job is simple. Establish the tube that's linked from the consumption manifold to the valve cowl and comply with it till you discover the PCV valve.

Take off the valve and substitute it with a brand new one. So long as you place the brand new valve in the appropriate spot, every part will work because it ought to, hopefully fixing the blue smoke situation.

6. Restore Valve Seals

Until you've got some mechanical information, you don’t wish to strive fixing the valve seals by yourself. You will want some particular instruments and a bit finesse to get the job finished proper.

To interchange the valve seals, you will need to take out the spring from the rocker arm and valve. Elevate the valve seal up and substitute it with a brand new one. No matter you do, don’t drop the valve into the engine, or you'll have greater issues in your fingers. 

Driving with Blue Smoke from the Exhaust

In some instances, it’s okay to proceed driving with blue smoke popping out of the exhaust. Nonetheless, you wish to be sure to know what the issue is earlier than you make it worse. If the turbocharger is blown or oil is mixing with the gas, you wish to cease driving and have the difficulty mounted.

Letting issues proceed solely results in extra bills later. If you want to substitute an engine due to harm, the fee is likely to be $3,000 or extra, which is one thing you don’t wish to cope with.