How to Make a Motor Stop Smoking
by Editorial TeamDoes your car's exhaust smoke? How about your lawnmower? This is usually caused by oil getting into the combustion chamber. Which can be attributed to oil sneaking past the piston rings, or seeping past the valve stem seals. Never mind all the technical bla bla bla, its a pretty quick and easy fix.
Step 1
Head down to your local car parts store. The sales associates can help you choose the best product for your vehicle. But I recommend STP's Smoke Treatment or STOP No Smoke/No Leak. If you are unsure of what is best for your motor, just ask the sales associates for a "smoke fix oil additive". They will know what you want!
Step 2
Either in the parking lot of the parts store, or when you get home. Follow the instructions on the back of the bottle of smoke fix additive.
Usually, just remove the oil cap off the top of your motor, and then pour in the smoke fix treatment.
But check the instructions just to be sure.
Also, if you don't know where your oil cap is, the sales associates at your local parts store would be more than happy to show you.
Step 3
This should take care of mild to moderate exhaust smoke.
One thing to note: If the smoke coming out of your exhaust has a blue-ish tint, this is caused by oil in the combustion chamber.
If the smoke is VERY white, with no hint of blue or black, then you have water in your combustion chamber. This can be due to a cracked cylinder head, or a blown head gasket. There is also a quick fix for a blown head gasket. Ask a sales associate at your local parts store for a an additive to repair a head gasket leak. Same idea, just pour it in and your set.
If the smoke is black, this means you are getting too much gasoline into the combustion chamber. The best plan of action is to take your car to a trusted mechanic and have them take a look at it. Remember, they don't have to do the work, just have them figure out what is wrong, and if it is something you can do, or have a friend do, just take the car home.
Step 4
So, one week down the road, is your car still smoking? If it is, oil additives are not going to fix your problem. It is likely that you have one of the following problems: worn valve stem seals, worn piston rings, cracked cylinder head, blown or cracked head gasket. If the smoke is black, then it is possible that your fuel mixture is off, your O2 sensor has gone bad, or a multitude of other problems ranging from minor to major.
The best idea is to take the car to a trusted mechanic, of if you prefer, take your car to the auto parts store and have a knowledgeable associate take a look.
I wish you the best of luck!
Things You'll Need
- STP Smoke Treatment engine oil additive
- OR: Engine No Smoke
- OR: one of many other engine oil treatments that have the word "smoke" in them
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