signewton

I have a 1998 nissan maxima. Whenever I turn the heat on, after about 5 mins, it begins to smoke. Also when I opened up the hood of the car- I see what appears to be oil leakage.

Whats wrong??

98 nissan maxima 3.0 engine (my 1st car)

CS_AR

The right Valve Cover (the one under the plenum) can leak oil. Where is the smoke coming from when you turn on the heat?

signewton

its coming from behind the engine

98 nissan maxima 3.0 engine (my 1st car)

signewton

It also comes from out of the vents inside of the car

98 nissan maxima 3.0 engine (my 1st car)

JvG

What does it smell like in the car? Oil or antifreeze?

First thing in the morning, when the car is cold, please remove the radiator cap, look inside to see if the radiator is full of fluid. Then replace the cap. If it is not full you might have a coolant leAK in a heater hose. it could be dripping on the rear exhaust manifold, creating smelly "smoke" (steam).

KP11520

Antifreeze smells disgustingly sweet. Always gets me HIGHLY motivated to fix it. Oil smoke is more..... choking? Both distinctly different.

I'm not sure where the air intake for the heating system is, but if it is getting in the car, the leak has to be pretty close. Find out where it is and start there. Expand the coverage area uniformly until Eureka!

Most likely oil dripping on exhaust, including the exhaust manifolds, so look above where the exhaust travels under the engine compartment. CS_AR identified a very likely place. Also, doesn't some areas of the timing chain cover also reside over the exhaust? Especially the corner close to the firewall? (passenger side)

Also check the Power Steering fluid. Maybe the rack is dripping on the exhaust as well.

Good luck. None of them is something I could live with for any length of time.

njmaxseltd

iTrader: (19)

A little reformatting yields the answer within.

Which is leaking onto your hot exhaust manifold and causing the smoke.

Probably a very leaky valve cover. Have the gasket replaced.

CS_AR

Here's a picture of the right Valve Cover Gasket with a new blue FelPro gasket.

Advance Auto discount code TRT25 gets you $20 off on the $51.99 purchase bring the price down to $31.99. Free in store pickup also.

KP11520

^^^ Ain't THAT just Beautiful? ^^^

signewton

Thank you!

98 nissan maxima 3.0 engine (my 1st car)

theWalkinator

Now that is a clean engine!

asand1

iTrader: (1)

The vents AND the engine compartment, or just the vents and you assume it originating from the engine?

Sound like it might me a leaking heater core.

We need feedback though, what does it smell like, sweet or oily?

Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

CS_AR

Should it be fogging up the windshield also if the heater core is bad?

asand1

iTrader: (1)

A heater core leak would make steam and would fog the windshield, and could also leak into the engine compartment past the hose connections.

Sent from my XT1060 using Maxima

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

So basically this guy is saying he can't distinquish the difference between smoke and steam?

martyl45

holy $!#% thats nice

matts95max

iTrader: (11)

Yeah, super clean engine shot there, CS_AR!

signewton

Hey guys.. i took car to mechanic.. he replaced ignition coils and gaskets. Seemed to have fixed the problem... for now at least... Thanks guys


PS- how do I get my engine that clean?

98 nissan maxima 3.0 engine (my 1st car)

luke95gxe

iTrader: (4)

not to sound like a douche missile but clean it maybe? search

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

He spends all night with mirrors and a toothbrush. is right. What a douche missile.
No one can get engines as clean as CS_AR.
NO ONE!
Hear that Rochester?

luke95gxe

iTrader: (4)

Fakie J Farkerton

iTrader: (51)

CS_AR

Thanks guys. Good to see the problem has been resolved.

For the parts that I can take off, I soak in big pan of carb cleaner.



For the parts that I can't remove, I use brake parts cleaner.

KP11520

I'm thinking you forgot to mention:

The Power Washer
The Sandblaster
and
The Polishing Machine!

And the little people you captured from Land of the Giants that get sent into those tight spaces. I hope you feed them well!

Obviously things have changed: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4vsbOMdxPg

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

No paint?

CS_AR

Nope.. No paint.. I like a natural brushed or polished aluminum finish..