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smoke from engine compartment

Old Feb 12, 2018 | 07:54 AM
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smoke from engine compartment

1985 GSL-SE

There was some smoke and a burning smell while I was driving this car home. It was on the passenger side close to the windshield as far as I could tell. I pulled over to check it out but by then it had stopped and I couldn't see anything obvious. The smell came back about a half mile from my house, but I didn't see any smoke and just continued driving because I was almost home and there had been nothing noticeable the first time.

Is there anything in this area that is prone to leaking onto the exhaust? I couldn't identify the smell. It almost had an electronic/rubber smell. And I'm pretty sure the smoke was more white/gray than black.

Thanks.
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Old Feb 12, 2018 | 09:13 AM
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Obviously the exhaust is on that side. Heater hoses? Not sure about the early 13b’s such as yours, but on mine there is also a throttle body coolant line going to the rear of the engine on that side.
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Old Feb 12, 2018 | 12:19 PM
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Here are some pictures of that side of the engine if that's helpful.




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Old Feb 13, 2018 | 03:48 AM
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The pictures don't tell me anything other than the engine compartment appears to be pretty clean. I suggest you get a really good flashlight, put the car up in the air and check it carefully.
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Old Feb 13, 2018 | 07:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Sgtblue
The pictures don't tell me anything other than the engine compartment appears to be pretty clean. I suggest you get a really good flashlight, put the car up in the air and check it carefully.
Lol. That's exactly how I felt looking at it.

It's been in the garage for two days and there is no evidence of leaks underneath it. So maybe it's a small leak or something in the wrong place. I've been trying to look at pictures of other people's engine compartments to see if I can spot anything.
Thanks for looking. I'll mention it to the mechanic when I drop it off tomorrow. I don't have jack stands. But I guess I should get some. I'm sure I'll need them. :P
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Old Feb 13, 2018 | 07:29 AM
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Had the car been sitting for a long time before you drove it? Sometimes that causes odors from dust, oils and residues collecting on the exhaust components like a furnace heating up on the first cold day.
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Old Feb 13, 2018 | 07:49 AM
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No. I don't think it had been sitting. I drove it about 5 miles and was stopped at a light when I saw the smoke. By the time I pulled over and opened the hood, it had stopped smoking and just had that odd smell.
But it had been running the whole time I looked it over and there was no smoke or smell. So I think whatever it was, it happened after driving it for a bit.
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Old Feb 13, 2018 | 08:56 AM
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I added pics of the underside to my thread in the 1st gen specific forum.
I'll keep that thread updated so everything is in one place.
Thanks again to those who commented and helped here.
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