Coincidence or worst nightmare??
 

Alright, so question which I'm horribly worried about, started car for first time after the winter.... Keep in mind I changed the front pads and yeah I did spill a fair amount of fluid(stupid bubble in the bottle). But anyways car is now smoking like a mofo on startup from the ENGINE BAY. Smoke appears to be coming 2" from where I spilled (Hoping trickle room). It is white. Please tell me this is not coolant. Any chance on a JMD coolant/engine bay smoke would be from the left side versus the right? I'll be keeping an eye on my coolant levels, 20 minutes of running smoke still coming. Help??

Ryan G

the smoke is coming from the area around the brake master cylinder? how does the car start up and idle?

well, since you spilled some fluid and if it's smoking from around that spot that's got me thinking it's maybe just the fluid being burned off.

Starts and idles like it used too, constant RPM and what not, but the smoke doesnt stop, has run for a total about 30 mins of smoke now... I'll keep a close eye on my coolant and well see. Fingers crossed.
Ryan G

Is there anything leaking on the ground? I ask again, what part of the engine bay is the smoke coming from?

Any sort of smell to the smoke? Coolant being burned off normally smells sort of sweet.

well the good thing is that the smoke isn't coming out of the exhaust so at least its not an internal problem. if it's coolant then maybe you have a dry-rotted and thus, cracked hose. can you look down there with a flashlight and if needed a mirror on a stick or something? that would clear things up for you and help you diagnose your problem a lot easier.

The smoke seems to be coming about 4" to the right of the master cilinder and deep down. If I am correct that is where the turbo connects the the exhaust which heats up, and I'm willing to think thats where I leaked onto. Smoke isn't so much sweet, it has a funny smell, nothing out the exhuats which is good, I'll keep an eye out on the coolant levels and jack up the front end and get a better look tonight or tommorow thanks all

Ryan G

I'm putting together a picture:
- you have a RHD import with the brake cylinder on the exhaust side of the engine
- you spilled brake fluid, and did not hose off the mess

The smoking would no doubt come from the fluid on the exhaust downpipe. Next time you should wash down the spilled brake fluid immediately, because it will eat the paint off of anything it touches. Not sure about flammability. Wash everything down thoroughly, let it dry, then expect lots of steam the next time you start it up.

Dave

brake fluid is very flammable. If you have the stock down pipe i would bet the pre-silencer is saturated with brake fluid. When it gets hot it burns off. It will take a long time to burn it off tgat way.

It may also be a puddle somewhere that gets hot and burns off. I would take simple green and spray the DP and surrounding area down with it when cool, then rinse it off about 5 minutes later with plenty of water. Then run the car tu dry it out..It may help,..but you may end up needing a new DP to cure it completly

Dave