Why Is White Smoke Coming From the Exhaust When Accelerating? (Explained)

White smoke from the exhaust when accelerating can be alarming and may indicate a problem with your vehicle. Understanding the cause of white exhaust smoke can help you determine the appropriate course of action to take.

There are several potential causes of white smoke coming from the exhaust when accelerating, as the RPMs and load increase it can increase pressure within the engine resulting in white exhaust smoke only while accelerating and not while idling.

In this article, we will delve into the potential causes of white smoke from the exhaust when accelerating and provide some possible solutions.

---

Table of Contents:

• What Causes White Smoke From Exhaust When Accelerating

• White Smoke From Diesel Exhaust When Accelerating

• White Smoke From Exhaust When Accelerating but Not Overheating

• Conclusion

What Causes White Smoke From Exhaust When Accelerating

If white smoke is only coming from the exhaust when the vehicle is accelerating, it may be due to a problem with the fuel delivery system.

This could be caused by a malfunctioning fuel pump, a clogged fuel filter, or a problem with the fuel pressure regulator. It could also be due to a malfunctioning oxygen sensor, which may cause the engine to run too rich (i.e. too much fuel and not enough oxygen).

Some of the most common causes of white exhaust smoke include the following.

1. Coolant leakage: If your vehicle is leaking coolant into the exhaust, it can mix with the fuel in the combustion chamber and cause white smoke to be emitted from the exhaust. This is often accompanied by a sweet smell and may indicate a problem with the radiator, water pump, or head gasket.

2. Fuel injection problems: If there is an issue with the fuel injection system, it can cause unburnt fuel to be released through the exhaust, resulting in white or a grey coloured exhaust smoke. This may be caused by a faulty fuel injector, a clogged fuel filter, or a problem with the fuel pump.

White Smoke From Diesel Exhaust When Accelerating

If your vehicle is a diesel engine and you are seeing white smoke from the exhaust when accelerating, it could be due to a few different issues.

1. Injector problems: If the diesel injectors are faulty or clogged, it can cause unburnt fuel to be released through the exhaust, resulting in white smoke.

2. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve issues: The EGR valve is responsible for recirculating a portion of the exhaust gases back into the engine to reduce emissions. If the EGR valve is stuck or not functioning properly, it can cause white smoke to be emitted from the exhaust.

3. Fuel contamination: If the diesel fuel has become contaminated with water or other substances, it can cause white smoke to be emitted from the exhaust.

White Smoke From Exhaust When Accelerating but Not Overheating

If your vehicle is emitting white smoke from the exhaust when accelerating, but the temperature gauge is not showing that the engine is overheating, it could be due to fuel delivery issues.

Typically white exhaust smoke that is caused by a coolant related issue such as coolant leaking into the combust chamber through a blown head gasket would cause overheating. If the vehicle does not overheat then its unlikely to be coolant related.

Conclusion

White smoke coming from the exhaust when accelerating can be caused by a variety of issues, ranging from fuel injection problems to EGR valve issues and fuel contamination.

If you are seeing white smoke from the exhaust when accelerating, it is important to have the issue diagnosed and repaired as soon as possible to prevent further damage to your vehicle.