engine smoke

[q45_owner]

Hey again, I just got back from a drive-through, where I noticed that there was smoke around my car. I got back home 2 blocks away and there was smoke coming from my engine from the plenum and it was making a hissing sound. The hissing sound continued after I turned off the car and opened the hood. The smoke smelt like something burnt. I didn't think too much before because it was a rainy day and heat evaporates the rain... but smoke literally started surrounding the car. Anyone have an idea what the problem could be? :help

[PalmerWMD]

q45owner:I'll move this to the right forum.

[qship96]

lwaky coolant hose under plenum?

[Jesda]

lwaky coolant hose under plenum?

I'm inclined to agree. If the hissing persists after shutdown, it makes me believe it has something to do with coolant. But the burning smell makes me curious and not so sure. When I have coolant leaks it usually gives off the semi-sweet smell of antifreeze.

-Jesda

[911/Q45]

Probably leaky coolant hose combined with oil on the exhaust from leaky cam covers.

[qship96]

Probably leaky coolant hose combined with oil on the exhaust from leaky cam covers.

lets throw in leaky vacuum hoses and just say it is time for a complete under plenum replacment of hoses-fuel,vacuum,and coolant,and replace valve cover gaskets and plugs and forget about it for many miles!

[q45_owner]

qship96, how much is that all going to cost me? how much does getting a leaky hose fixed cost by itself? Also is it safe to make small trips across town as I schedule an appointment to get it checked in the dealership in the next few days?

[pito11213]

Guy be prepared to spend a little on the hoses. $200 + on parts alone. The problem with repairing one hose here and there is that if a nother goes (which it probably will) you have to pay to remove the plenum all over again.

[elwesso]

Check out my writeup on Q45.org...

http://www.q45.org ... Goto the tech help section, it diplays in detail the plenum job and the parts associated therein.....

I think parts were about $400 if you get everything in my list (which is recommended)

[q45_owner]

I got my car back from the garage today. The guy said he replaced all the hoses he could find. However during my 30 minute trip to the car wash... the car temp read out started to say the engine is hot again. Anyway, the steam was still coming out, so I parked it and opened the hood. The steam was only coming out from the specific area around the hose and the lid where it says not to open when hot. A hissing sound and evaporating liquid was coming from the lid and the hose was steaming fluid also. So I had the car towed back tp the garage but the shop was closed so I drove home. O the tow truck's bed was a puddle of coolant when he took it off. I found out that the coolant was way over the max line when I checked it afterwards. IF ITS OVERFULL WOULD IT DAMAGE THE ENGINE? and WHAT DO YOU THINK NEEDS TO BE DONE?

[Jberger]

Change BOTH pressure caps on the radiator. I've had a very similar problem last year and this was a quick, cheap fix.

Remember, you gotta change them BOTH, guess how I learned that. . .

[Jesda]

I had the same problem. I replaced both caps and the upper radiator hose.

A month later (unrelated), I replaced the thermostat.

[q45_owner]

Thanks you guys- so much for that advice!!! That really fixed it as far as the pressure cap is concerned- everything else is ok too.