[adam pietras]

I have an 09 Chevy Silverado and it has around 120k miles. But the engine blows smoke.. no sounds or lights on dash and no codes… any ideas what the problem is!?

[Jake Droui]

? Blue Smoke
Cause: Burning oil.

Possible issues:

Worn piston rings or valve seals

PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) system failure

Turbocharger problems (if equipped)

What it means: Oil is leaking into the combustion chamber and getting burned along with the air/fuel mixture.

⚪ White Smoke
Thin vapor (especially on cold starts): Normal — just condensation.

Thick, persistent white smoke:

Cause: Coolant entering the combustion chamber.

Possible issues:

Blown head gasket

Cracked engine block or cylinder head

What it means: Coolant is being burned — usually a sign of a serious internal engine issue.

⚫ Black Smoke
Cause: Excess fuel (running rich).

Possible issues:

Clogged air filter

Faulty fuel injector(s)

Malfunctioning sensor (MAF, O2, etc.)

ECU problems or improper tuning

What it means: Too much fuel is being burned relative to air, possibly hurting fuel economy and emissions.

? Gray Smoke
Similar to blue or black smoke, but can sometimes be related to:

Transmission fluid being burned (especially in automatics with vacuum modulators)

PCV system issues

What it means: Could be a mix of oil, fuel, or other issues — harder to diagnose without a closer look.