What would cause 12 codes and flashing check engine light after white smoke from muffler?
What is your question?
A day ago I noticed white smoke coming from the muffler, the end was black as black could be, smelled like plastic or wires burning and very hot. The next day after driving it to a shop the check engine light came on flashing. I ran an OBD II and 12 codes popped up, some in which were saying to refer to manufacturers manual while a couple were circuits misfiring and others. This is a 2017 infiniti qx60 bought from enterprise car sales with now 82,000 miles on it. Before going to the shop I checked the oil and the whole dipstick was covered in thick, black sludge (never seen this before and I've driven cars years before an oil change). I have a 2016 jeep Cherokee that has had a blown head gasket, overheated on me but still ran. Quit driving it of course but the infiniti has not overheated, stalled out, or had any check engine light on until yesterday. Rides rough, but not as bad since we got 2 new tires until yesterday. Is the engine blown, head gasket, worth saving or destroyed?
How long has your 2017 INFINITI QX60 had this problem?
RepairPal Certified shops can diagnose and repair your 2017 INFINITI QX60. They provide transparent pricing with a minimum 12-month or 12,000-mile warranty on repairs and services.
Hi, my name is Devin. I am an auto repair expert with the Car Genius team here at RepairPal. So sorry to hear you're having trouble with your QX60.
The combination of white smoke, a flashing check engine light, multiple codes, and thick black sludge on the dipstick suggests serious engine issues. White smoke from the exhaust often indicates coolant leaking into the combustion chamber, possibly due to a blown head gasket, cracked engine block, or damaged cylinder head. The burnt smell and black sludge point to a lack of maintenance or severe engine wear. When the check engine light flashes, it means there's a severe misfire that could damage the catalytic converter.
Given these symptoms, the engine has likely suffered significant damage. Whether it's worth saving depends on the extent of the damage and the cost of repairs versus engine replacement. You may want to have a thorough diagnostic check performed to assess the full scope of the problem before deciding on repairs.
If you need more advice, have any other questions about your vehicle, or would like to get connected to a RepairPal Certified shop near you, we have you covered. Give us a call at 877-913-1554, and we will happily help you out!
