When I got home tonight I noticed some white smoke or steam coming from my engine bay. It was coming through the point where the hood meets the drivers side window. I noticed it just before I got out of my car because it was steaming up my window a bit and when I got out I saw it was smoke. I popped the hood and the smoke stopped so I didn't get a chance to see where it was coming from exactly since it happened at like 1130 at night and it was dark. It was definitely white in color though and had a rather odd smell I can't quite explain, definitely not a rubber smell or a burning clutch smell. I was being pretty easy on it driving it around for about 30 mind all city driving. I did however get on it after a stopsign to beat a line of cars coming through a light but I didn't burn the clutch or anything. Any help at all would be appreciated. Thanks.

The car is a Maxima 03 6 speed btw.

 

Can you be a bit more descriptive about the smell? Sweet, acrid, oily...?

 

Any fluid stains in the engine bay?

 

might be a minute oil leak hitting the front exhaust manifold?

 

Smell is key. If you don't have a good smell memory for coolant, after a drive, open top of coolant recovery tank and take a whiff. Also, check fluid levels and compare day to day to determine if something is changing. I had a coolant leak and put a piece of tape on coolant recovery tank and marked it daily before starting engine each day. I had a small leak but no steam. Another point is that Oil smoke will usually linger in the air and tiny droplets will cling to windows, paint, etc. Also, look for any areas that are 'wet' after you see steam and then wipe that area with clean white paper towel. Good luck.

 

I would say it was more of a sweet smell definitely. But when I head back out later im gonna check to see any fluid leaks on the ground or in the engine bay.

 

If its sweet then as stated antifreeze. Possibly heater core lines if its along the back wall, also check the lines to the tb.

 

As said a leak is suspect, most common is the rear valve cover leaking down onto the manifold, it can sit there for a very long time and pool up, and won't start burning or smelling until you drive the car hard and really heat up the manifold.

Visual inspection must be made, take pics if you have a decent camera.

 

agree with above, also check the radiator coolant tank and the hose that runs to it to see if theres any leaks

 

+1

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll have to take a look this weekend once I'm done with work.

 

Update?

 

Mine has the same problem, and I know that it is the valve cover gaskets leaking. I got the gaskets and a PCV, but I am not exactly sure how to proceed. I read an excellent writeup, but it is for the 4th Gen Maxima. Mine is a 2000 Max.

Will this work for me? I really want to get this done myself, not only to save the money, but also to get to know my car better!

Thanks in advance!