White Smoke?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, Colorado
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
So I was driving on the highway today and my jeep started to pour white smoke out of the exhaust pipe. I was about to pull over and then it stopped. What could it be? Its running fine now and no more white smoke! I searched but all I could find was continuous stuff. I also used Marvel Mystery Oil in my last oil change if that would affect anything.
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
White smoke is usually burning antifreeze. Watch for unexplained coolant loss.
A tremendous amount of oil all at once in the combustion chamber can look white, too.
A tremendous amount of oil all at once in the combustion chamber can look white, too.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, Colorado
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Ok, would it continue to smoke if it were coolant? Could there have been something I did that would cause that much oil in the combustion chamber?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,250
Likes: 3
From: California
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Both water (coolant) and oil normally make white smoke.
- Water = Odorless and dissipates quickly.
- Oil = Sweet smelling. Use this in your spy car to make a smoke screen causing everybody behind you to crash and curse your name.
- Water = Odorless and dissipates quickly.
- Oil = Sweet smelling. Use this in your spy car to make a smoke screen causing everybody behind you to crash and curse your name.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,440
Likes: 3
From: Seal Beach, CA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO Straight Six
When you saw the white smoke, did you happen to take a look at your temperature gauge to see if that was affected at all?
Like said above, burning coolant could cause white smoke.
Like said above, burning coolant could cause white smoke.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,734
Likes: 12
Year: 2015, 2012
Model: Grand Cherokee (WK2)
Engine: 3.6L
I wondered the same thing. He may have just assumed it was coming out of the tailpipe itself.
Could be his transmission fluid is overfull, or it got too hot and came out of the dipstick tube.
Could be his transmission fluid is overfull, or it got too hot and came out of the dipstick tube.
oil does not smell sweet... atleast ive never smelt sweet smelling burnt oil
coolant has a sickening sweet smell to it when burnt.
have you checked you're coolant level yet? transmission?
coolant has a sickening sweet smell to it when burnt.
have you checked you're coolant level yet? transmission?
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 4,172
Likes: 4
From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
The coolant is the one that has a sweet smell and burnt oils smells like burnt oil.
If you are still having the problem start her up let it get warm and look under it and make sure that it is coming from the exhaust and not from somewhere else like a leaking gasket or trans. Keep use updated on what you find. Good Luck.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,570
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From: California
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
^This. Did it happen to get worse when you would let off the gas while coasting? Check your exhaust near the bellhousing, you could have been dumping ATF on your exhaust. If that's the case it should be easy to see the burns.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 2,570
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From: California
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, Colorado
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: I6
Ok, so the temperature guage was a little over 210. I was also driving up steep grades so that may have affected it. I had oil all over the side of my jeep when i got to my destination so that may have been what was burning on my exhaust. My friend also had it and he was in front of me confirming that the oil was not from my jeep. I have not checked my fluids yet. I will tonight though.


