Guys today I left home to go for a nice drive....after 10 minutes or so I stopped to get some gas and realized there was some smoke coming from the engine bay....from the left side (just behind the driver). I tried again the turn on the car and let it idle for a while and could not see any more smoke. Then decided to go back home and when I arrived I could still see some smoke coming out (not o lot...you can't really notice it when you drive) I use the car quite often but never had this problem. Anyone has a clue what that could be ? At the beginning I thought it could just be some vapour..but I think it smelt like burnt.... temp gauges are normal and oil level is also good...an oil leak ?
I also had that issue shortly after purchasing my original 308. Turned out to be oil dripping on the exhaust causing the same smoke. Was it white smoke? Maybe a valve cover oil leak causing oil to run onto the exhaust? Good luck.
Check the usual places on the both banks for oil leaks dripping on the exhaust. Distributor seal and cam seal most likely culprits. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Can you determine what the white smokes smells like? It might give us a better idea of what's leaking.
Well it smelt a bit like burnt...but it was not black smoke.. I don't know if it's related...but I had the heating on at full power on...which I usually never use, but this morning was a bit cold so decided to turn it on. Is there anything related to the heating plant in that area of the engine bay maybe ?
Yes, the main (black rubber flexible) hose feeding the (in the front end of the car located) heating system starts at the left side of the engine and goes via de left side of the car to the heating system. White smoke seems an indication that coolant is leaking. Attached picture shows the location at the engine with a red circle Image Unavailable, Please Login
I was going to say coolant. Haven't had that issue with my 308 yet, but have had a coolant hose go on my jeep and it made some burnt-smelling white smoke.
The smell of coolant on the exhaust and oil on the exhaust are very different and are easily distinguishable. If you are not familiar with the difference, drip some coolant on a hot exhaust manifold on any car and note the odor. Then do the same with some oil. From then on you have a calibrated nose and can instantly tell which is which!
I had this occur when my CV Joint Boots needed to be replaced. The grease spattered on the rear exhaust cover causing whifts of smoke to vome up thorugh the engine cover louvers. Nearly gave me a heart attack whenI first saw it. I stopped in the middle of a busy road and jumped out with my fire estinguishier just in case. Easy fix.
Another idea would be a ripped CV boot. It will fling grease quite a bit and it will cause a bit of intermittent smoke in the engine bay when it lands on the exhaust. You are probably wondering why I know this Franny
Well, I have driven the car a bit for the last few days...no long trips, just errands around town and I haven't seen any more smoke off the engine bay and I have avoided turning on the aircon or the heating. If it doesn't happen again I will wait for the next yearly service, which is due quite soon anyway.
