Smoke coming from anywhere in your vehicle is never a good sign – especially when it comes from under the hood. If you notice smoke coming from the cracks of your vehicle’s hood, the best thing you can do is turn off your vehicle’s engine. Now, let’s look at some of the potential causes and what you need to do next.
If you are seeing white smoke coming from the engine area, this can point to a few different issues. The main culprit is usually coolant entering the combustion chamber, which can happen when your head gasket fails or when the engine block cracks. If coolant is leaking, this means that your engine is more than likely overheating as well. An overheating engine can cause severe damage, so getting this taken care of quickly should be a priority.
Another potential cause of white smoke coming from the engine is leaking motor oil or other fluid hitting your vehicle’s hot engine. While a leak can be fixed easily, there are still some concerns about what damage the leak may have caused. Any fluid that is low or leaking can lead to component damage, and smoke coming from underneath the hood typically signifies a leak. The problem could also be with the fuel system, such as the fuel injectors. If this is the problem, you’ll usually also smell gasoline.
Also be on the lookout for other symptoms such as:
- Strange smells
- Engine rattling or running rough
- Knocking or pinging engine noises
- Leaks underneath your vehicle
- A decrease in fuel efficiency
- Engine misfiring
Fuel coming from your vehicle’s exhaust pipe is an indication of a more serious issue, so always watch for this as well. As soon as you notice either smoke coming from under the hood or the exhaust pipe, it’s critical to get your vehicle into Motorhaus as soon as you can and minimize your driving. Our professionals can identify the cause of the issue and figure out what repairs are needed to get your vehicle restored. Give us a call or stop by our shop today if you have any engine troubles!