4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999) Visit the 4th Generation forum to ask specific questions or find out more about the 4th Generation Maxima.

Steam/smoke coming from near firewall

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 6, 2011 | 01:20 PM
  #1  
trooplewis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,039
From: San Diego
Steam/smoke coming from near firewall

This is the same car that has the water-in-the-oil problem.
After a good drive, the car smells hot and is letting off steam between the rear bank and the firewall. I have not been able to pinpoint where it is coming from because...well, there is a lot of steam in there!

Anyone have this happen or know what the issue is?
Could it be related to the water that is showing up in the oil pan?
Old Jan 6, 2011 | 01:37 PM
  #2  
shdwonthsun's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 358
From: Cincinnati
coolant leak at the heater core?
Old Jan 6, 2011 | 05:12 PM
  #3  
Trini Boom's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,395
From: Brooklyn, NY
Originally Posted by shdwonthsun
coolant leak at the heater core?
It sounds like it but it doesn't make any sense as to how the water is getting into the oil. If it smells hot and you confirmed its not burning oil you are smelling, then I would inspect the hoses back there. As for the water in the oil, did you do your water pump recently??
Old Jan 6, 2011 | 08:53 PM
  #4  
trooplewis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,039
From: San Diego
No, but I may need to, that may be the issue with the water in the oil.
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 05:48 AM
  #5  
slfalco's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 237
From: Hyde Park, NY
Head gasket failure can cause coolant and oil to mix also....
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 06:20 AM
  #6  
Trini Boom's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,395
From: Brooklyn, NY
Originally Posted by trooplewis
No, but I may need to, that may be the issue with the water in the oil.
Which car are we dealing in reference to here? I see you have several listed
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 07:04 AM
  #7  
cashoit's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,005
From: Worcester, MA
U try changing oil for a second time. U may have not gotten all the water out the first time.

And i do remember your earlier thread.
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 09:47 AM
  #8  
trooplewis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,039
From: San Diego
This thread is in reference to my 1996 Maxima.
The steam/smoke coming from the area between the motor and the firewall is hard to trace, I'll try to get more specific about it this weekend.

I'm curious how so much water can get from the water jacket into the oil system via the head gasket. I'm thinking more along the lines of the internal water pump.
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 09:59 AM
  #9  
kgb006's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 468
i had a similar problem on my car, turned out a small coolant hose located behind the manifold and in front of the firewall was leaking.
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 02:25 PM
  #10  
trooplewis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,039
From: San Diego
thanks kgb006, I'll check it out...
Old Jan 7, 2011 | 06:45 PM
  #11  
Trini Boom's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,395
From: Brooklyn, NY
Originally Posted by kgb006
i had a similar problem on my car, turned out a small coolant hose located behind the manifold and in front of the firewall was leaking.
Yeah this coolant hose could be what is causing the steam but it does not explain how water is getting into the oil...
Old Jan 8, 2011 | 07:39 AM
  #12  
max ride 41's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,789
From: in my max, pa. :p
Originally Posted by Trini Boom
Yeah this coolant hose could be what is causing the steam but it does not explain how water is getting into the oil...
right, so maybe water pump or head gasket failure is the problem and you dont want to wait very long cause that can destroy a motor quick. hows it running???
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ballerchris510
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
17
Sep 23, 2015 08:46 PM
Jay556
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
5
Sep 12, 2015 05:50 PM
DayHeyZeus
4th Generation Maxima (1995-1999)
7
Sep 11, 2015 03:17 PM
Violator
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
1
Sep 9, 2015 10:14 AM
lux97Max
4th Generation Classifieds (1995-1999)
1
Sep 4, 2015 05:42 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:33 AM.