OK, someone help please, got smoke from the engine bay.

I can leave the car idling for an hour and no problem, however, if I take it for a drive (10 mins will do), when I stop I see smoke coming from the front. Thought at first it was the rad as it is coming from between the rad and the block. However, just taken it for a hard drive and I can see where the smoke seems to be coming from, If standing in front of the car, it is at the front, slightly to the right of the pulley's under the block but above the (what I think is the) exhaust manifold???.

By the way, the engine temperature never climbs above half way, the fan starts and stops as normal and it still drives fine!!!

Any ideas? I wondered if it could be the exhaust or does it sound more serious??? someone please help!

 

OK, slight update. Found a couple of drops of oil roughly under where the smoke seems to be coming from, its only a couple. That may be hitting the exhaust an causing the steam, possible??? any idea where it would be coming from?

 

not 100% but could be one of your rocker cover gaskets leaking i had same problem on mine id let it warm up wouldnt take much notice coz wasnt driving but then as soon as i stopped in traffic id see smoke coming from side of bonnett and vent where the oil was dropping onto exhaust,burning oil does have a distinctive smell so you will be able to tell if its that or water/antifreeze leaking from somwhere.if you can or get someone to look or feel round the rocker cover itself on the side its smoking you should feel a fair bit of oil if its leaking.

 

Its definately oil cause I get a slight burning smell. Also drop on the ground is most definately clean oil. Rocker cover seems OK and no leaks on or around it. Leak would have to be between the lump and the exhaust but I defo think there is a v.small leak hitting the exhaust..... Next suggestion :-)

 

like you say its gotta be above exhaust if its definately burning,could possibly be the sump gasket? not sure your year/model but im sure on mine and other scoobs correct me if im wrong anyone,i could be completly wrong or seeing things but part of the exhaust/manifold is at the bottom left of engine bay below sump level? if not have you looked to see if either head gasket is leaking? is it alot of oil?

 

Its only about 4 or 5 drops of oil if left standing. oil level isn't going down either so its got to be a very small amount. Im going to try to get under the scoob tomorrow, remove the guard and see if I can see anything.

Mine is a 96 turbo 2000 classic, does that help?

 

yeah should be pretty much same as mine my 97 so exhaust on lower left side i think? if you can get underneath with the gaurd off shouldnt have too much trouble finding it if its on one side like you say its only a small amount no loss in level or pressure so hopefully shouldnt be seroius. other thing you could try if its quite dirty is take gaurd off then take it to car wash and steam clean underneath then check again in couple of days whilst keeping an eye on oil level if its leaking from any gasket should be able to see it after a couple of days.

 

Thanks for all the advice, I will check it out tomorrow night and post an update...

 

if it on left side as you look at engine , smoke will rise and smells strong when pull up at traffic , drops oil not alays from gasket , but from bolt hole gaskets the small rubber ones , that hold the rocker on ... only prob is if its the left one pulleys need to come off might be good idea to get belt done at same time,if not done so already. the reason this side gasket always goes is the up pipe is very close to the area gets hot makes gasket go hard and brittle and then leaks oil .. smells awful dont it been there got the tee shirt

 

just read up on thread if its at front normally the front crank seal or loose oil filter in that area front seal gen costs bout 9 quid pain to change though belt off job

 

It definately seems like its coming from the right of the pulleys...... Im not gonna get a chance to have a look at it tonight but will do tomorrow. Im hoping it will be nice n simple (and cheap!!!!)

 

OK, just finally had a proper look. the oil leak looks like it is coming from where the large plastic thing which runs across the whole front of the block, where it meets the block. What is that? I have very little experience of these engines.

 

It does sound like the front crank seal thats the problem. Its not uncommon for it to leak and its right above the headers which would explain the smoke if it drips onto them.

Not sure why it'd only happen on the move though. I guess it might be pooling and only spilling when you turn a corner or something. Might be worthwhile taking the cam belt cover off (the plastic thing) to see if there's anything obvious.

Not the most expense thing to fix but a real PITA for a home mechanic.

 

Right, car is booked in to be looked at thurs........ Fingers crossed, she will be back on the road then!!! Will let you all know what the problem turns out to be.

 

Hey guys and gals, thanx for all the advice, turned out to be loose sump plug nuts!!! I would never have guessed. My other problem with the rattling turned out to be the heat shield which had cracked so that has now been spot welded. She is finally running lovely again with no more dripping on the drive. Im one happy owner......

Big thanks to the Scooby owner at kwik fit who made this all possible.