Car Won’t Start, Smoke Coming from Engine
car wont start smoke coming from engine
I’ve been having trouble with my car lately. It won’t start, and there’s smoke coming from the engine. I’m not sure what’s wrong, but I’m hoping it’s something I can fix myself.
I started by checking the engine bay for leaks. I didn’t see any leaks, but I did notice that the coolant level was low. I added some coolant and checked the level again. It was still low, so I knew there must be a leak somewhere.
I checked the spark plugs next. They were all black and fouled. I replaced the spark plugs and checked the level again. It was still low, so I knew there must be a leak somewhere.
I checked the battery, starter, and alternator next. The battery was dead, so I replaced it. The starter and alternator were both working fine.
I checked the fuel system next. The fuel pump was working fine, but the fuel filter was clogged. I replaced the fuel filter and checked the level again. It was still low, so I knew there must be a leak somewhere.
Check the Engine Bay for Leaks
The first step in troubleshooting a car that won’t start and is smoking is to check the engine bay for leaks. A leak could be the source of the smoke, and it could also be preventing the engine from getting the fluids it needs to run properly.
To check for leaks, open the hood and look for any signs of fluid on the ground or on the engine components. Common places to check for leaks include⁚
- Around the oil filter
- Around the valve cover gaskets
- Around the intake manifold gaskets
- Around the exhaust manifold gaskets
- Around the power steering pump
- Around the brake lines
- Around the coolant hoses
If you find any leaks, try to identify the source of the leak and repair it. If you’re not sure how to repair the leak, you can take your car to a mechanic.
Once you’ve checked for leaks, check the fluid levels in your car. Make sure that the oil, coolant, and brake fluid are all at the proper levels. If any of the fluid levels are low, add more fluid and check for leaks again.
If you’ve checked for leaks and the fluid levels are all good, the next step is to check the spark plugs.
Check the Coolant Level
The next step is to check the coolant level. Coolant is essential for keeping the engine cool, and if the coolant level is low, it could cause the engine to overheat and smoke.
To check the coolant level, open the hood and locate the coolant reservoir. The coolant reservoir is usually a clear plastic tank with a black cap. The coolant level should be between the “min” and “max” marks on the reservoir.
If the coolant level is low, add more coolant until it reaches the “max” mark. Be sure to use the type of coolant that is specified in your car’s owner’s manual.
Once you’ve checked the coolant level, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Then, check the coolant level again; If the coolant level has dropped, there may be a leak in the cooling system.
To check for leaks, look for any signs of coolant on the ground or on the engine components. Common places to check for leaks include⁚
- Around the radiator
- Around the water pump
- Around the thermostat housing
- Around the coolant hoses
If you find any leaks, try to identify the source of the leak and repair it. If you’re not sure how to repair the leak, you can take your car to a mechanic.
If you’ve checked for leaks and there are no leaks, the next step is to check the spark plugs.
Check the Spark Plugs
The next step is to check the spark plugs. Spark plugs are responsible for igniting the air/fuel mixture in the engine, and if they are not working properly, it can cause the engine to misfire and smoke.
To check the spark plugs, you will need a spark plug wrench. Remove the spark plugs one at a time and inspect them. The spark plugs should be a light brown color. If the spark plugs are black or fouled, they need to be replaced.
When you are replacing the spark plugs, be sure to gap them correctly. The gap is the distance between the center electrode and the ground electrode. The gap should be specified in your car’s owner’s manual.
Once you have replaced the spark plugs, start the engine and let it run for a few minutes. Then, check the spark plugs again. If the spark plugs are still black or fouled, there may be a problem with the ignition system.
To check the ignition system, you will need a multimeter. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and then use the multimeter to test the resistance of the ignition coil. The resistance should be within the specifications in your car’s owner’s manual.
If the ignition coil is not within specifications, it will need to be replaced. If the ignition coil is within specifications, the problem may be with the ignition module or the distributor cap and rotor.
If you are not sure how to check the ignition system, you can take your car to a mechanic.
Once you have checked the spark plugs and the ignition system, the next step is to check the battery, starter, and alternator.
Check the Battery, Starter, and Alternator
The next step is to check the battery, starter, and alternator. These three components are responsible for providing power to the engine and starting the car.
To check the battery, you will need a multimeter. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and then use the multimeter to measure the voltage across the battery terminals. The voltage should be at least 12 volts. If the voltage is below 12 volts, the battery may be dead and will need to be replaced.
To check the starter, you will need a helper. Have your helper turn the key to the “start” position while you listen for the starter to engage. If you hear the starter engage, but the engine does not start, the starter may be bad and will need to be replaced.
To check the alternator, you will need a multimeter; Start the engine and then use the multimeter to measure the voltage across the battery terminals. The voltage should be between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. If the voltage is below 13.5 volts, the alternator may not be charging the battery properly and will need to be replaced.
If you are not sure how to check the battery, starter, or alternator, you can take your car to a mechanic.
Once you have checked the battery, starter, and alternator, the next step is to check the fuel system.
