White smoke from engine

20

Asked by Cassaroll123 Oct 27, 2017 at 04:28 PM about the 2001 Subaru Outback Limited

Question type: General

I haven’t turned my car on in about two months (I know
dumb). I started it today and was going to leave it running
for a while so the battery could charge, and I noticed
white smoke coming from the engine so I got nervous and
turned the car off. I’m wondering if I should change the oil
or fill up the antifreeze or if it’s a whole different problem
all together. Otherwise the car sounds fine.

5 Answers

White smoke from the exhaust on cold mornings is normal. Drive the car and it should go away but if it continues when the engine is fully warmed up there may be a leaking head gasket.

1 people found this helpful.
20

Well I am pretty sure I do have a leaking head gasket because my mechanic told me to make sure to always check my oil and fill it up if it gets low

1 people found this helpful.

You do own a Subaru. Try some Subaru brand leak sealer in the radiator. I do not know if it will help but it might and it is cheap. Save up your money for ahead gasket job!

2 people found this helpful.

If your engine oil looks like mud or you have muddy looking gunk in the radiator you definitely have a leaking head gasket. White smoke all the time is also from a leaking head gasket. Oil use by itself is not proof of a leaking head gasket and may just be from engine wear.

3 people found this helpful.

Your Answer:

Outback

Looking for a Used Outback in your area?

CarGurus has 39,054 nationwide Outback listings starting at $1,450.

ZIP:

Own this car?

Share your experience with others.

2001 Subaru Outback

Review another car

CarGurus Experts

  • #1
    Mark Weiner
    Reputation
    33,230
  • #2
    TheSubaruGuruBoston
    Reputation
    28,320
  • #3
    Keith Cahalan
    Reputation
    3,310
View All

Know more, shop wisely

Search

Related Models For Sale

Used Subaru Forester
1,098 Great Deals out of 28,317 listings starting at $1,542
Used Toyota RAV4
1,949 Great Deals out of 29,514 listings starting at $1,450
Used Honda CR-V
2,066 Great Deals out of 42,002 listings starting at $500
Used Subaru Legacy
315 Great Deals out of 7,059 listings starting at $499
Used Toyota Tacoma
1,934 Great Deals out of 31,699 listings starting at $3,500
Used Subaru Impreza
386 Great Deals out of 7,708 listings starting at $900
Used Toyota 4Runner
1,090 Great Deals out of 19,141 listings starting at $2,000
Used Toyota Camry
2,091 Great Deals out of 37,807 listings starting at $575
Used Toyota Highlander
1,247 Great Deals out of 18,209 listings starting at $675
Used Jeep Wrangler
3,225 Great Deals out of 58,178 listings starting at $3,000
Used Ford F-150
6,060 Great Deals out of 130,219 listings starting at $1,500

Used Cars for Sale

2024 Subaru Outback For Sale
173 Great Deals out of 25,462 listings starting at $25,740
2023 Subaru Outback For Sale
109 Great Deals out of 1,437 listings starting at $24,917
2022 Subaru Outback For Sale
106 Great Deals out of 1,727 listings starting at $18,986
2021 Subaru Outback For Sale
152 Great Deals out of 2,160 listings starting at $16,985
2020 Subaru Outback For Sale
128 Great Deals out of 1,403 listings starting at $15,988

Content submitted by Users is not endorsed by CarGurus, does not express the opinions of CarGurus, and should not be considered reviewed, screened, or approved by CarGurus. Please refer to CarGurus Terms of Use. Content will be removed if CarGurus becomes aware that it violates our policies.