When you see smoke coming out of the exhaust of your scooter, this may indicate an underlying problem. The color of the smoke - white or blue - can help determine what is going on. In this blog we discuss the difference between white and blue smoke and what the possible causes are.
White smoke from the exhaust
White smoke can have various causes, depending on the situation:
1. Condensation
At cold temperatures it is normal for brief white smoke to come out of the exhaust. This is simply water vapor that is caused by condensation and disappears as soon as the engine is up to temperature.
2. Coolant leak (For scooters with liquid cooling)
If the scooter produces white smoke for a long time, this may indicate coolant that ends up in the combustion chamber. This can be caused by a leaky head gasket or a crack in the cylinder head.
Blue smoke from the exhaust
Blue smoke usually indicates oil burning and is often a sign of a problem in the engine:
1. Oil burning at 4-stroke scooters
With a 4-stroke scooter, blue smoke can indicate worn-out valve seals or piston rings, causing oil to enter and burn in the combustion chamber.
2. Excessive oil in 2-stroke scooters
With a 2-stroke scooter, a too richly adjusted oil system or the use of too much mixing lubrication can lead to blue smoke.
3. Worn or damaged engine parts
If you constantly see blue smoke, this may indicate serious engine damage, such as worn piston rings or a worn cylinder wall.
The color of the smoke from the exhaust of your scooter can be an important indication of the condition of your motorcycle. White smoke is usually innocent when it comes through condensation, but can be a problem with long -term emissions. Blue smoke often indicates oil burning and may indicate wear or damage to engine parts. It is important to take these signals seriously and to have maintenance or repair carried out if necessary to prevent further damage.