Having an issue with my MY02 WRX at the moment... I noticed some steam coming from the front driver's side of the engine bay - diagnosed as a split top hose. Replaced that, bled the cooling system and ran the engine for about 1/2 hour. All seemed fine - no futher steam escaping, normal temp etc.

I took it for a quick spin and after a mile or so I turned round to head home and the smoke/steam had returned (coming from around the driver's side headlight again). Checked the cooling system for leaks again and all seemed well. There was a bit of an acrid smell coming through the vents though.

To be honest, I'm a bit stumped - the cooling system seems fine (as mentioned, no apparent leaks, no loss of fluid, steady temp etc).

Due to where the smoke is coming from, I'm wondering if it's a seperate issue and might be caused by the power steering system having a slight leak - the fluid level is a bit low. If it is the power steering fluid then this would explain the acrid smell (i.e. fluid dripping/spraying onto the hot engine/radiator and burning off) and why it only happens after driving the car rather than sitting at idle (i.e. after using the steering a bit).

Anyone had a similar issue? Any suggestions? (would rather not strip the lights etc to check the power steering pipework if I'm barking up the wrong tree)

Cheers,

Gigs

 

This maybe your problem........
when the coolant pipe burst , most likely the exhaust got covered in a mixture of coolant and antifreeze.
When antifreeze burns off it looks like white smoke and smells terrible....this will only happen when you go under load and the exhaust system gets hot.

 

your radiator is most likely leaking, common problem, hairline crack in the plastic near the headlight, leaks under pressure when you're driving and cant be seen with a naked eye.. replace your radiator and all should be fixed, had the same problem

 

I'm with this: if the coolant ends up on the turbo then obviously only boosting for a while gets the turbo hot enough to cook it off:





M

 

As already said above... Its likely your radiator has split. I had the same problem with mine a few months back. The radiator had a crack at the bottom drivers side and was spraying water onto the headers.

ScoobyBits | Subaru Specialists // New & Used Parts // Repairs & Servicing can supply you a new one for about £130

 

Cheers for the replies.

I did suspect the radiator... the smoke/steam looks suspiciously like the photo only the smoke/steam is a bit thicker.

If it's only £130 for a new one then I'll swap it out - no point taking risks with the cooling on turbo engines.

 

Hi is your water level good if so haveu checked your cam covers ae not leaking and dripping on exhaust system merry xmas.

 

My Legacy GT-TT did that....

 

Had a similar issue myself - Turned out to be a pin sized hole in one of my water pipes that was spraying water onto the turbo. Quick cheap fix

 

I had a very similar problem a couple of weeks ago on the Wagon. This was due to a split top hose. Replaced the hose and took it for a spin to dry it off. When the hose split it was spraying coolant down onto the manifold and heat shield and it did take some time to burn this off. A couple of days later all was clear and coolant levels stayed the same.

Rob

 

I've left it a couple of days now and took the engine tray off so I could see the bottom of the radiator... I think there's definately a leak in the colling system somewhere as when I went to check on it, the top hose had colapsed - am assuming a vacuum was created as the engine cooled? (Would probably explain why the old pipe split too!)

I have a few bits to put on the car that I was given for Christmas so I'm planning on stripping the front end a bit for a closer look using some stuff my plumber gave me that he uses to check for gas leaks (works a bit like fairy liquid... i.e. bubbles when air escapes and won't fill the cooling system with soapy bubbles). Will double check the other coolant pipes too while I'm there but they seemed fine when I checked them the other day.

Will check the cam covers etc for leaks too while I'm under the car though I don't think it's engine oil as the smoke is white rather than blue. Better safe than sorry though and at least it's Christmas which gives me a bit of time off to investigate! ;o)

 

When you're able to, just wiggle slightly the radiator end of the top hose, i suspect that it got wrenched when the new hose was fitted, hance now the rad has split...... it may well only be a hairline crack, but under pressure it'll spray out!!

 

mine cracked on the top plastic tank.... wouldng't leak that much to show the water going down quick... sounds like the same thing a cracked radiator...