Smoking engine

[Kinky]

Got a one-off that I can't put my finger on - would be grateful for any advice ....

I noticed on Thursday night and Friday night (both very cold nights) that when I arrived at home and reversing into my drive that there was a lot of smoke coming from the front of the engine bay, in front of the headlights.

But I could not see anywhere that it was coming from.

I checked oil and that was OK .... checked the coolant levels - that was a bit low, so topped it up (and all seems to be running ok, plus the fan coming on, etc).

Took the car out for a run again tonight, and it's the same again!

The temp and oil pressure gauges are normal and there's no 'smell' to the smoke to indicate if it's electrical, rubber (belts), etc, etc .....

I'm not just wondering if it's the heat of the engine running mixed with the fact the air is cold outside and nothing more! I notice similar from the headlights.

Smoke from the exhaust is fine and normal - not excessive, and the right 'colour', and no smell from it.

I also ran the heating on full heat to see if there were any smells to give a clue - but nothing!

I'm stumped. Anyone any clues - or do you think it's simply hot engine and cold nights causing it?

K

[Glassman]

Kinky said:

do you think it's simply hot engine and cold nights causing it?

K

OCD? Paranoid?

[Kinky]

Well, this morning I drove gingerly into work this morning, down the M3 and all OK until I came to my junction (6). I queued up in the traffic and sure enough there was the smoke again, definately coming from the passenger side.

Every was running fine, smelling fine, all temperatures OK, etc, etc.

I got to work, parked up, popped up the bonnet, and ran the engine for a few minutes with a full load - lights, A/C, etc, etc .... and there was no sign of anything! No obvious leaks I could see - which might account for oil/water dropping onto something.

I now wonder if perhaps it's not the engine, but maybe related to the front near-side wheel - or something around it. The wheel was fine (not excessively hot) - no funny smells - nothing. The brakes run fine - and there's no odd sounds to give any clues!

Flipin' infuriating!

K

P.S. - My off-side drivers wheel is now knocking on hard-turns - so I suspect wishbones/track rods/CV boot!

[Munter]

Kinky said:

P.S. - My off-side drivers wheel is now knocking on hard-turns - so I suspect wishbones/track rods/CV boot!

I got that with low grip levels. On extream lock I dont think the wheels point exactly right so one "skips". Replaced the tyres and it went away. I doubt it's the CV boot.....think about it

[MX-5 Lazza]

Are you sure it's not just steam coming off the bonnet (you probably have no insulation on the bonnet)? Does this only happen in the wet?

[Glassman]

Mr Kinky. We have road-tested your car and our technician could not see any smoke when driven at a reasonable speed. Further tests are in order.

[Kinky]

MX-5 Lazza said:

Are you sure it's not just steam coming off the bonnet (you probably have no insulation on the bonnet)? Does this only happen in the wet?

That was my initial thought

And yes - it was cold/damp/wet on Thursday/Friday night, but this morning it was a tiny bit damp - but dry bonnet.

At this moment - that's what I'm sticking with - but will investigate further.

K

[Kinky]

Munter said:

Kinky said:

P.S. - My off-side drivers wheel is now knocking on hard-turns - so I suspect wishbones/track rods/CV boot!

I got that with low grip levels. On extream lock I dont think the wheels point exactly right so one "skips". Replaced the tyres and it went away. I doubt it's the CV boot.....think about it

I do need some new rubber, as my tracking is out (uneven wear on inside off-side wheel). I'll sort that out and see what happens

[Kinky]

Glassman said:

Mr Kinky. We have road-tested your car and our technician could not see any smoke when driven at a reasonable speed. Further tests are in order.

Ahhhh - that's where we put Kinky junior this weekend. I was so focused on looking out for this smoke, I missed him altogether

[MX-5 Lazza]

Kinky said:

Munter said:

Kinky said:

P.S. - My off-side drivers wheel is now knocking on hard-turns - so I suspect wishbones/track rods/CV boot!

I got that with low grip levels. On extream lock I dont think the wheels point exactly right so one "skips". Replaced the tyres and it went away. I doubt it's the CV boot.....think about it

I do need some new rubber, as my tracking is out (uneven wear on inside off-side wheel). I'll sort that out and see what happens

That's a common complaint with MX-5's. Happens to many when the rubber is near the end of it's life. From what I've read on other forums, it's actually coming from the power-steering! Makes it feel like a joint or something is knocking somewhere in the steering...

[skinny]

hmm gonna change my PAS fluid soon i think!

[eltax91]

I noticed it's as you were reversing onto the drive, sounds stupid, but any chance it's exhaust somke that you are reversing "through". It's quite white in the cold weather. In regards to the queue in traffic, perhaps the exhaust smoke from the car in front coming under the bonnet of the 5 and making it appear as though it's coming from your car?

Tell me to feck off if i'm asking the obvious.

[NiceCupOfTea]

I get a lot of steam coming off the bonnet when the engine's warm and it's cold/wet outside. Can you video it on your mobile and post it?

[Kinky]

eltax91 said:

A lot of sensible and logical stuff

NiceCupOfTea said:

I get a lot of steam coming off the bonnet when the engine's warm and it's cold/wet outside.

Eltax91 - It's certainly not coming from my own exhaust - as it's on the opposite side, plus I've also noticed when coming to a stop, almost immediately.

NCOT - yeah - that was my original thinking - but whenever I've seen this before, it's been across the bonnet - this seems to be coming from under the hood, on the near-side. As Lazza suggested - there's no insulation under the bonnet, so it may well account for it.

Anyway - latest update - in the last 36 hours it's been absolutely fine. Oil/coolant levels/pressures still ok, etc, etc.

I've booked it in for a minor service tomorrow, and have mentioned it to the guy - so he'll have a good nose around - but as it's not happened since, it probably won't tomorrow!

Anyway, I'll update tomorrow, once I get the car back.

Thank everyone

K

[Kinky]

Car back from service - and all AOK. The front knocking is obviously down to the tyre itself (which is the next job).

However, this morning coming off the M3, the smoke reappeared, and was smoking more than usual!

Got to work, and fortunately this time it kept smoking, so I finally able to see where it was coming from ...... and I guess it's the radiator

It was smoking between the back of the radiator and the fans.

I'll have to investigate further next week.

Bugger.

K

[MadaboutMX5s]

On my old black s special a few years ago I had a similar problem.

Engine temp, coolant levels would all be ok but you would see smoke/vapour coming from the front of the bonnet around the pop up lids.

turned out it was the radiator and it was leaking ever so slightly under pressure from around the top seal.

I replaced the rad and never had anymore problems.

[Kinky]

James,

Thanks for that.

I've been all round the hoses, etc, and there's nothing loose or suspect looking, no giveaway clues.

The fan works OK and kicks in as expected.

I guess that leaves the rad and the temp sensor.

No flippin time to do it

K

[NiceCupOfTea]

I seem to remember reading that the radiators on MX5s can be problematic - they can easily get silted up if using tap water/antifreeze mix...

[Munter]

A new one of these sir?

[Kinky]

Munter - yeah - ironically just been looking at that on MX5 Parts.

Ony downside is there's a hundred other things I could buy as well

K