Smoke coming from engine

[Browzer]

I just bought my car and I took it for a drive today and after an hour arrived home and was letting it cool down because i was kinda pushing it a little hard just to see how it felt (awesome btw)

But as I was sitting in my car idling in my drive way I noticed somke coming from the engine.

The temperature guage didnt register and change but I shut the engine off and popped the hood. It smelt like coolant, but I could be wrong.

My car is all stock Just bought it, I called the dealer and left a message because they werent there.

I know that in my old car I installed a SRI which required the coolant hose to be redirected and due to my shoddy install, was causing a coolant leak in the engine bay and making the temp guage turn up.

But I never got and smoke from that.

If anyone has an idea as to what it could be that would be awesome. But ultimatley its the dealers problem, I mean I JUST bought it.

[KronosPerformance]

It could be multiple things...best thing is to have someone actually look at it in person and see where the smoke is coming from. Something may be burning off like oil if its leaking from somewhere or even coolant.

[Browzer]

initially i thought it was coolant. but the dealers a far drive frome me. so idk what to do. i dont want to pay some local mechanic to do it. but i also dont wanna risk the long drive up there either.

is there a quick way to tel?

[Anub1s]

Year of vehicle? Is there a warranty?

If you have any kind of warranty at all, don't do a damn thing to it or have any mechanic work on it, make the dealer take the hit.

[rage-wrx]

It could be multiple things...

exactly.

Only way to know is to have someone look at it.

[Browzer]

2005 wrx. I mean theres a 2 month warranty from the dealer.

just thought maybe there was a common reason for this lol

[Anub1s]

2005 wrx. I mean theres a 2 month warranty from the dealer.

just thought maybe there was a common reason for this lol

Thankfully, no.

You can take a look and see if a hose has come loose or something, but aside from that, let the dealership diagnose and fix it.

[Browzer]

I have a feeling its a lose hose or something. well I hope its that simple.

[UEDan]

Could be from dripped coolant, I mean the exhaust headers are RIGHT under the coolant reservoir tank and radiator.
Just an observation...
I had oil on my exhaust headers, it stunk and smoked for 2 days, day 2 being very light.

[Browzer]

thanks. I'm hoping thats what it is. Altough idk why it would be happening to an unmodified car. I mean just now even though everythings supposed to be stock?

is that something that can happen to an unmodified car randomly?

[UEDan]

Yeah, like you the smoke didn't show its ugly head until after I pushed the car. And since you said you just bought the car, they could have just topped of the coolant, resulting in a minor spillage.
I continued to drive my car around for after seeing/smelling the smoke, but I saw it was coming from near the headers(so I kinda figured since I just had an oil change). could you tell specifically where the smoke is coming from? And just double check the radiator and reservoir levels, that should give you an idea weather it's a coolant leak or not.

[Browzer]

yeah I wasnt able to tell for sure. the thing that concerns me is that you also had the same problem when you pushed the car.

I mean it did get an oil change when they sold it to me.

I DID see coolant in the engine. so thats why im 75% sure thats the issue.

ill try to take a picture tomorrow if i can.

[Uh Oh]

Check the level in the coolant reservoir, then check it again after a bit of driving. If you had a leak, chances are you'd be overheating. Also, FYI, coolant smells sweet when it burns. My guess is spillage from refilling. See if it's still smoking next time you go for a drive.

[UEDan]

Yeah, like you the smoke didn't show its ugly head until after I pushed the car. Pushing the car causes the headers to heat up even more, burning the crap thats on them And since you said you just bought the car, they could have just topped of the coolant, resulting in a minor spillage. If you look right right below the radiator you'll see the exhaust headers, you can see how a spill of coolant can cause smoking and burning of coolant.
I continued to drive my car around for after seeing/smelling the smoke, but I saw it was coming from near the headers(so I kinda figured since I just had an oil change). could you tell specifically where the smoke is coming from? And just double check the radiator and reservoir levels, that should give you an idea weather it's a coolant leak or not. Just double check the levels, you'll have an idea of whats really going on after that. And my smoke problem completely went away after 2 days.

[Bleep], I really need to re-read my posts.
I know you said coolant, but since we have boxer engines everything that spills has the potential to get on the headers.

[mycologist]

Coolant leaks are fairly common, as are radiator end tank cracks - you need to have it pressure tested. Also look for white residue. I'd have a good look around before trying to drive it in long distance, and keep an eye on the level in your overflow. You may want to mix up a jug to take with you.