Understanding the Different Types of Smoke Emitted by Vehicles and Their Causes Smoke Colors From Exhaust There are several different types of smoke that can be emitted by a vehicle, each of which can indicate a different problem. White smoke is typically caused by a coolant leak, while blue smoke is often the result of oil leaking into the combustion chamber. Black smoke is typically an indication of a fuel mixture that is too rich, meaning there is more fuel than oxygen in the mixture.
