2008 fusion smokes out the tailpipe intermittently.

[wado66]

It's a 2008 fusion sel. 49000 miles. Second owner. When I first bought it had 26000 miles. At random times the tailpipe emits a ball of white smoke. But only at start up.

It's done it about 3 times in 4 months. Just one big puff and it's done. Am I on for a big

Expensive mess? Or is this something easy to remedy **laughs a little** I just normally have rotten luck with combustion engines.

I drive it easy, check and change fluids regularly. Any input on this proble

Would be greatly appreciated.

[akirby]

It's a 2008 fusion sel. 49000 miles. Second owner. When I first bought it had 26000 miles. At random times the tailpipe emits a ball of white smoke. But only at start up.

It's done it about 3 times in 4 months. Just one big puff and it's done. Am I on for a big

Expensive mess? Or is this something easy to remedy **laughs a little** I just normally have rotten luck with combustion engines.

I drive it easy, check and change fluids regularly. Any input on this proble

Would be greatly appreciated.

 

If it does it randomly it's probably just steam from condensed water vapor in the exhaust. Does it only do it on humid days? Does it dissipate quickly? If so that's normal.

 

The other possibility is a leaky head gasket but that would typically happen repeatedly every time you start the car and you would lose coolant. Check the oil for a milky white substance and check coolant levels to make sure they don't drop. If those are negative then no worries.

[fusion10driver]

It's a 2008 fusion sel. 49000 miles. Second owner. When I first bought it had 26000 miles. At random times the tailpipe emits a ball of white smoke. But only at start up.

It's done it about 3 times in 4 months. Just one big puff and it's done. Am I on for a big

Expensive mess? Or is this something easy to remedy **laughs a little** I just normally have rotten luck with combustion engines.

I drive it easy, check and change fluids regularly. Any input on this proble

Would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Hi, Wado66,

I would like to hear any updates on your "smoking" problem. I have a 2010 Fusion Sport with 12,000 miles. Purchased it brand new July 2010. This week when I went to start the car, mine did the exact same thing....plus it had a pungent smell with it. It was NOT merely just steam due to the cool morning. It did evaporate quickly. All fluids are fine. It has not done it since, even though it is the same cool temperatures and the exact same circumstances. I have never had another vehicle to do this. Thanks for your time!

[Jo7hs2]

Hi, Wado66,

I would like to hear any updates on your "smoking" problem. I have a 2010 Fusion Sport with 12,000 miles. Purchased it brand new July 2010. This week when I went to start the car, mine did the exact same thing....plus it had a pungent smell with it. It was NOT merely just steam due to the cool morning. It did evaporate quickly. All fluids are fine. It has not done it since, even though it is the same cool temperatures and the exact same circumstances. I have never had another vehicle to do this. Thanks for your time!

 

Did it smell like maple syrup? Burning coolant smells a lot like maple syrup.

[dennisw]

there is no problem. white smoke is nothing, even a small amount of blue smoke would be OK. Blue smoke is Oil, black smoke is fuel and white smoke is condensation.

[drolds1]

there is no problem. white smoke is nothing, even a small amount of blue smoke would be OK. Blue smoke is Oil, black smoke is fuel and white smoke is condensation.

 

 

White smoke is burning coolant and you can clearly tell the difference between that and normal condensation. It's impossible to tell what this is over the internet but it wouldn't dissipate rapidly.

[FusionDiffusion]

White smoke is burning coolant and you can clearly tell the difference between that and normal condensation. It's impossible to tell what this is over the internet but it wouldn't dissipate rapidly.

^ +1

 

White smoke with a sweet smell is burning coolant and won't really dissipate like any other kind of smoke. If it doesn't smell or smells a little like gas or sulphur and it sort of evaporates in a few seconds, it's probably water vapor. You typically only see water vapor clouds from the exhaust when the ambient temperature is about 45ºF or colder. Is the car using up coolant?

[akirby]

^ +1

 

White smoke with a sweet smell is burning coolant and won't really dissipate like any other kind of smoke. If it doesn't smell or smells a little like gas or sulphur and it sort of evaporates in a few seconds, it's probably water vapor. You typically only see water vapor clouds from the exhaust when the ambient temperature is about 45ºF or colder. Is the car using up coolant?

 

My 76 Cutlass had a blown head but I had to drive it to the mechanic's shop to get it fixed while we were on our honeymoon. It looked like a mosquito truck driving down the highway or like a NASCAR driver with a blown engine.