Hey guys.
A buddy of mine here at work has a 97 maxima (no markings (GXE?) auto and he's started getting white steam coming out the exhaust only at certain times. Sometime when he first starts it he'll get a puff of steam or other times stopped at lights he'll notice it.
Car drives fine otherwise, plenty strong, no CEL. His mechanic says he's used a little coolant but not an excessive amount.

Anyone come across this?

 

bump...
Could a blown EGR valve do this?

We're really hoping it's not the head gasket.

 

condensation

 

steam coming from the exhaust pipe? could be a little excess condensation as mentioned but does it have a white color to it? burning coolant has a white tint to it and smells kinda sweet. if it keeps requiring coolant and there is no leak found, it may be burning it and that would be a head gasket failure

 

it would do it more often than not....coolant will evaporate if its old so that maybe ur coolant loss problem...is the oils discolored in anyway....u would know if it was when u saw it....tell him to keep an eye on his coolant level and keep checking the oil for coolant....but its prolly condensation it happens

 

Do you think it's OK to keep driving? It's a long commute over a hill you don't want to break down on.

Just keep an eye on it then?

Good thought about the sweet smell. I'll check.