Soot’s exact composition is difficult to characterize because of the different engine technologies and conditions that produce different types of soot.
Indeed, the smoke from diesel engines can even have different colours.
For example, blue smoke (mainly oil and unburnt fuel) can indicate a poorly serviced and/or tuned engine; black smoke (soot, oil and unburnt fuel) can indicate a mechanical fault with the engine; and white smoke (water droplets and unburnt fuel) is produced when the engine is started from cold and may disappear when the engine warms up, if it continues it could relate to a head gasket problem.
Indeed, the smoke from diesel engines can even have different colours.
For example, blue smoke (mainly oil and unburnt fuel) can indicate a poorly serviced and/or tuned engine; black smoke (soot, oil and unburnt fuel) can indicate a mechanical fault with the engine; and white smoke (water droplets and unburnt fuel) is produced when the engine is started from cold and may disappear when the engine warms up, if it continues it could relate to a head gasket problem.
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