meng

hello,
Recently I have been getting some smoke coming out of the engine bay as the engine gets hot while I am driving. the smoke smells like burning plastic, which i attribute it to being oil being burned and being evaporated on the engine. The problem is that I cannot see exactly where or what is leaking. The smoke is definitely coming from underneath the car rising to the top on the passenger side of the engine where the headers are. I have not had any time to jack the damn thing up and take a look but I am wondering what you guys think it is. The funny thing is that sometimes it happens all the time and sometimes I can drive for a long time before I smell or see anything at all. And my oil level is fine after all this time. Additionally, I was thinking if it can be the motor mounts leaking? Because the car is starting to idle a little harder than before. One more thing- I also have an undetectable PS fluid leak somewhere coming from around the same area... Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

Perry 951

ATF (what we use in our power steering systems) can have a funny smell when it burns. It can also flame up pretty easy, so you want to get the leak found and fixed soon.

Pull back the boots on the rack and see if you have fluid in them. If you do, time for a new rack, if not, check all your hoses and connections.

If you find it is oil, the most common failure point on that side of the motor is at the rear of the cam tower. There is a $.99 cork gasket that leaks on occasion, and drips onto the exhaust.

Good luck!

meng

Perry 951, thanks for the quick response. the sad thing is that I have fixed PS leaks twice already! First time the rack, second time a hose. Now I have leak coming from god knows where! I am thinking it quite possibly is ATF from the PS because the smell is odd and very disturbing to the senses, and it gives me a headache.

Didn;t know it was so flammable- I'll check it out soon. Thanks

Perry 951

It is not that flammable.. not like gas, but is is more flammible than oil.

porsche944drifter

I have a 1984 porsche 944 and I have the same problem... thanks for helping me figure it out, i definitely too think its the PS fluid leaking.. i know my pump has been leaking but we fixed it and now its time has come.. hence the whining when turned all the way to the left when moving only... but i noticed some unknown fluid is leaking on my headers/exhaust pipe right under the passenger side of the engine.. i really didnt think it was oil, but mine starts smoking almost instantly after starting the enging or when sitting at the light... a light smoke with a strong smell..... well anyway goodluck and thanks.. let me know if you have gotten this fixed and exactly what it was.. later

porsche944drifter

by the way perry 951... nice wheels they look hot

944S2NUT

If anyone knows something about flammable engines its PERRY!

jp944

If it's passenger side and close to the firewall, check your heater hoses. It may not be smoke, but steam from a fine crack or hole that sprays then the coolant is hot/under pressure.