Reason For White Smoke Coming From Car While Driving
Posted in Internal Engine Parts | Asked on Sep 9, 2011
I drive a 1990 Cadillac El Dorado and I have been having problems with my car burning up coolant. But tonight while 200 miles away from home white, sweet smelling smoke started coming up from my hood. Checked the temperature on my car and it was fine, about 180. When stopped to check it out, can’t see any leaks in the hoses, and plenty of coolant in the tank. Is it possible I put TOO much coolant in my car and it’s leaking out and burning on the engine? If you have any insight on this, please share!
There are 5 Answers for "Reason For White Smoke Coming From Car While Driving"
I believe your assumption is correct about too much coolant in the system, but only if you can’t find a leak. It doesn’t take a lot of coolant hitting a hot (but normal temperature) engine to give that sweet smelling steam fog. Best to have a mechanic do a pressure test on the cooling system to double check.
There is no way of putting to much coolant in your radiator which will cause white smoke and sweet smell . Sounds like you have a cracked head or leaking head gasket !
If there was “too much” it would have leaked out when you poured it in, or it would be bursting out of the overflow tank.
It’s much more likely that you have a blown head gasket, or cracked head like the other guy said.
If the smoke really looks bad, it probably is water leaking through the head gasket going out the exaust.
The are some additives you can pour down the radiator to plug the leak. but read the directions and do ” exactly ” what they say.
A new gasket replacement can be costly, but eventually necessary.
The additive is just babying the problem.
You have a head gasket or intake gasket leaking anti-freeze into the combustion chamber and going out the tail pipe. it,s time to start tearing it down.