3rd Generation Maxima (1989-1994) Learn more about the 3rd Generation Maxima here.

White smoke from passenger side of engine bay

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-07-2012, 10:51 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
La Zona Imagery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 70
White smoke from passenger side of engine bay

So I was driving my VG30e on the freeway for about 10 minute when all of a sudden white smoke started creeping out from the passenger side of the engine bay towards the windshield. It wasn't a ton of smoke, but it was visable especially since traffic was crawling. It took me awhile to pull over because of traffic. But when I was finally able to pull over and pop the hood, there was no smoke at all. I then drove for another hour and the smoke never reappeared.

Any ideas?
La Zona Imagery is offline  
Old 05-08-2012, 01:36 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
TonyJr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,048
That happen to me because I sprayed some wd40 by the exhaust. Manifold. As soon as it burn the wd40 it stop smoking.
TonyJr is offline  
Old 05-08-2012, 03:05 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Laevateinn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Riverside, CA
Posts: 349
Originally Posted by La Zona Imagery
So I was driving my VG30e on the freeway for about 10 minute when all of a sudden white smoke started creeping out from the passenger side of the engine bay towards the windshield. It wasn't a ton of smoke, but it was visable especially since traffic was crawling. It took me awhile to pull over because of traffic. But when I was finally able to pull over and pop the hood, there was no smoke at all. I then drove for another hour and the smoke never reappeared.

Any ideas?
Almost any fluid that comes contact with the exhaust manifold will create a white smoke.
Laevateinn is offline  
Old 05-08-2012, 06:43 AM
  #4  
Junior Member
 
89Vg30Elover's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 44
Very true in all statements, I am guessing the car wasnt over heating so it wouldnt be smoke from that, check your coolant hoses over there by the thermostat housing and check your waterpump if you can, while the vehicle is running, I had a similar thing happen and had a pin hole leak in a hose and my water pump.
89Vg30Elover is offline  
Old 05-08-2012, 04:06 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
DMad8724's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,077
One time I was driving my VG when I had the same thing happen, after about 10 minutes as well...however it wasnt smoke but steam pouring out of the coolant reservoir tank...I was def on the verge of overheating so def keep an eye on that, but if you drove for another hour then?
DMad8724 is offline  
Old 05-08-2012, 06:13 PM
  #6  
Jesus was a Zombie.
iTrader: (7)
 
BenStoked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 3,965
I also had the same thing happen. was YEARS ago, and it was steam.
I looked down, I was pegged on "H"
Pulled over, immediately.
looks like I was low on coolant, which is weird, because I hadn't had any problems prior, or since.
BenStoked is offline  
Old 05-08-2012, 09:29 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
La Zona Imagery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 70
Hmmm now I am wondering if what I saw was steam also?

My temp guage has never gone high though...it always stays at cold or 50% right in the middle between Hot and Cold. And my coolant in the reseviour is constant at the max line.

I am suspicious though about the coolant. I drained the coolant a couple months ago when I replaced the timing belt. I am pretty sure I did not bleed the coolant thoroughly when I refilled with fresh coolant though. Could that that be an issue? I thought the worse case scenario with improperly bleeding coolant is that there is no heater inside the car.
La Zona Imagery is offline  
Old 05-09-2012, 03:57 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
DMad8724's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,077
My VG had no heat as well, I thought my coolant just had some kind of clog/blockage somewhere near the heater core...but whatever my problem was it did lead to almost overheating the one day i saw the steam...so if youre sure theres some kind of issue then keep an eye on it.
DMad8724 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
maxinout93
Infiniti I30/I35
22
10-27-2015 01:29 PM
Dennis Twohy
1st & 2nd Generation Maxima (1981-1984 and 1985-1988)
0
10-01-2015 06:01 PM
Viralkill
7th Generation Maxima (2009-2015)
1
08-17-2015 10:54 AM
Viralkill
General Maxima Discussion
2
08-16-2015 05:09 PM
Balkins
5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003)
1
08-12-2015 06:39 AM



Quick Reply: White smoke from passenger side of engine bay



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 12:56 PM.