Hi

Concerned by white smoke from right side of enginebay, it comes through the vents in the hood. And smells like coolant, but when I open and check its dry and no smoke from the engine? It still smokes from the open engine lid though?

I have 1y extended warranty but wanted some feedback from you guys before approaching the dealer.

Thanks for any advice!

 

If by "right side" you mean right side when viewing the front of the car, which would be on your left when viewing the engine bay, then you have both a coolant reservoir and an overfull relief hose on that side. Look for the small rubber hose that hangs down near where the upstream O2 sensor is attached with a metal clip to a heat shield between the cat and engine. Coolant from that hose could easily drip onto the cat and engine in that area. There should be some evidence of coolant if this is the cause.

LP

 

Hi, no I ment right side when looking at the car from behind, and since the coolant reservoir is as you stated on the other side, this is adding to my concern.

As far as I can see I dont get any smoke from the exhausts, so it should be something external, or at least thats what I hope.

Oil and water temps are very normal.

 

Okay. I would get under the car on that side and look for any evidence of coolant drips. Once the engine is cool enough, put your hand on every hose you can find and all the surfaces around them to see if any wet spots or "greasy spots" are left from where the coolant has evaporated. You have two coolant pipe seals (one on each side) where the water pump housing connects to the engine underneath the car. They are not far from your muffler and are pretty much symmetric from side to side and easy to spot on the bottom of the engine.

You can also let the engine idle for a few minutes to let it come up to temp. If your temps are fine, then you should be okay. Once the car is up to operating temps, you can shut it off, which will actually increase the heat build up and pressure in the coolant pipes. If you have a leak, it should make itself known. Don't stick your head in the engine bay or under the car and wait for something to happen, just in case a seal goes. You don't want any permanent damage to yourself, of course.

LP

 

Thanks, I will try to (safely) have a look underneath today.

 

Leaks, filled up 1,5l of coolant today.

 

Glad you figured it out and it wasn't something more serious. It looks like the surface of your cat has some drip stains on it. The leak also looks wet--is it leaking while turned off in the garage? Did you trace back to the source?

LP

 

Its parked on the street and it has been raining alot lately so I guess thats why I havent seen the leak before. The engine needs to be warm for it to leak (enough to be seen).

I dont really know where it comes from, impossible to see from above and from underneath this vid is the best view possible.

Will take it to the dealer on monday, at least I dare to drive shorter distances with it now.

 

I had the same issue, turned out to be fuel leaks.

 

quick test, run your finger across the wet areas and give it a smell and taste test. If it is coolant it will be slightly sweet, if it is fuel you'll obviously smell it on your fingers, if it's oil it will obviously be very slick, and not sure if there are any brake lines there but if it is brake/clutch fluid it will taste very acidic/bitter.

quick way to tell what it might be

 

Sorry if I wasnt clear, its coolant. It lokks like it, smells like it but clearest sign is I am loosing coolant and need to refill constantly