Too much white smoke from the exhaust?

when i start my car it in the morning or after a few hours of not in use condition, i can see LOTS white smoke coming out of the exhaust, it is like it is on fire or something, but after i step on the gas, the "smoke" seems back to normal....is that normal? is it burning something inside??

White smoke = water
Black smoke = gas
Blue smoke = oil.

It's normal for any car to exhaust white smoke for a while after starting cold. Especially in a humid environment. I guess a lot of moisture gets inside the exhaust.

If you drive your car for 1/2 hour and then it's STILL got white smoke coming out, that means you have coolant leaking into your engine. THAT is a problem.

Originally Posted by grant

If you drive your car for 1/2 hour and then it's STILL got white smoke coming out, that means you have coolant leaking into your engine. THAT is a problem.

I don't think that's a good diagnosis. I drive my new car (8000 km) for over 30 min and still get some white smoke at a light. Just humid out.

My previous car did have a coolant leak (major one). Coolant smoke is white and it tends to linger in the air longer and doesn't dissipate quite as fast as regular white humid smoke.

And it doesn't have to be constant white smoke. Depends on the kind of leak.

Originally Posted by coldWater

when i start my car it in the morning or after a few hours of not in use condition, i can see LOTS white smoke coming out of the exhaust, it is like it is on fire or something, but after i step on the gas, the "smoke" seems back to normal....is that normal? is it burning something inside??

If the whilte smoke is about the same as your neighbours when he starts his... then it's normal condensation. If it's more.. then it's most likely a manifold or head gasket problem.. best diagnosed by a professional.

Sound like minor oil leak, can you smell anything?

Originally Posted by grant

White smoke = water
Black smoke = gas
Blue smoke = oil.

It's normal for any car to exhaust white smoke for a while after starting cold. Especially in a humid environment. I guess a lot of moisture gets inside the exhaust.

If you drive your car for 1/2 hour and then it's STILL got white smoke coming out, that means you have coolant leaking into your engine. THAT is a problem.

coolant would have blue/greenish colour no? I know oil also gives you black smoke as well. (Personal experience.. lol)

when i start my car today, it looks like it is ok, not much smoke as before(yestereday and the day before was raining, so i guess it was the moisture got inside the exhaust?)

"
My previous car did have a coolant leak (major one). Coolant smoke is white and it tends to linger in the air longer and doesn't dissipate quite as fast as regular white humid smoke."

hmm.....the smoke that i had just like what you described, and i noticed i have problem with coolant lately(it used up quickly, but i couldn't find any leak under the hood), i guess i will have to check with my mechanic later

thank you guys

I find water/coolant = white smoke
oil = bluish / blue-grey smoke
fuel = grey / black smoke (if too much fuel)

You should never see white smoke if the car has come to full operating temperature. There is nothing thats being burnt that would give off water or steam. The only thing that should produce steam is condensation in the exhaust.

Originally Posted by coldWater

hmm.....the smoke that i had just like what you described, and i noticed i have problem with coolant lately(it used up quickly, but i couldn't find any leak under the hood), i guess i will have to check with my mechanic later

Well you know the coolant has to be going somewhere, because normally you don't have to add. If you can't see the leak from the outside (it's not easy to see it under the hood, look for it on the ground after you've had a good run and then parked the car for an hour or more) then it has to be leaking inside (to the engine) yes you should get it checked out promptly.