Steam/White Smoke??? HELP!!!!

[Troubled93]

So 2 nights ago I started my car just to let it warm up and run as its cold where I am from (-8 that night) and according to the temp guage it was right in the middle just like usual. Well the heat was blowing cold, so I cut the engine and check the coolant which I filled 2 days prior. It was at the bottom of the reservoir (weird???) So I started the engine back up again and gave it a few 3-3500 RPM revs to see if the heat would get warmer... No Luck... then all of a sudden the engine just started steaming or smoking pure white... So i pop the hood quick to spot the source and it was coming out of the intake area on the rear bank of the engine (closest to firewall)

Could this be a blown head gasket? Has anyone had these symptoms/problems before... anybody have any ideas???

 

[elarm1]

Blown heater hose is my guess

 

[Troubled93]

Would I be experiencing loss of power with a blown head gasket, because currently it pulls nice n strong still... I will inspect all hoses etc tomorrow in the day light =]

 

[shotime1994]

It's probably not a head gaskets as stated check you heater hoses. I would not drive the car while it's leaking.

 

[hawkeye18]

Yup. heater hoses. I guarantee you $100.

I would replace all of them while you're back there. Why? As soon as you fix the one that blew, the other one is going to blow. And you're going to facepalm yourself when it does.

 

[sho'noffmtx]

If you replace the hoses yourself be gental when taking them off the heater core lines otherwise you will be replacing the heater core, ask me how i know...

 

[Troubled93]

how many hoses approx. are there? any photos? i am an extreme noob SHO mechanic... ive only changed monroe quickstruts haha and the basics

 

[firebat45]

There's two hoses to the core, about 1 inch diameter and fairly close to the center of the firewall. They're usually corroded on there pretty good.

 

[sperold]

Slash eveything off with an exacto knife while applying zero force to the heater core copper tubes. You can go to Rockauto and sort through a long list of hoses back there and order them (and wait an extra week). There are a number of pretzel like hoses on the ends of metal tubes that cross the back side of the engine, some have different diameters on each end. Learn the name of every thing attached to a hose, as that is your only clue sometimes in your selection.
I had the little hoses going to the throttle body break, and it was very hard to diagnose. Yours may be better.

 

[Eric VerValin]

Cut in the same direction as the hose... split it a good 2 or 3 inches back from the end, then put some channel locks or something on the hose and twist it..

 

[93rev2sev]

Yep, peel it like a bananna

 

[Troubled93]

yes it was the heater hose. after inspection it split right down the middle (facing hood) about a 2-3 inch split. Do you guys know if the diameter is 5/8" or 3/4" as I have not taken it off yet... but that is the culprit as i let it run for a few minutes and the smoke/steam started from that crack. Thanks guys for all the help with this issues... truly a great group of ppl and lifesavers

 

[elarm1]

canIgeddathanks!

 

[sperold]

Get the moulded hose from Rockauto or anywhere you want. It has that tight 90 degree bend that you are not going to get any other way. The heater core outlet connection lines do not like to be shoved around by hoses.
And put it on, ever so gently.

 

[hawkeye18]

I'm pretty sure it's 5/8".

And you owe me $100.

 

[Troubled93]

so now that i got that hose fixed the steam/smoke has gone down tremendously but there is still some minor smoking. I am a rookie at this but I am assuming it is prob the coolant that leaked down onto the exhaust and is burning off as there is no real visible source other than at the bottom of the firewall/exhaust area...

 

[93rev2sev]

Yep. Let it idle for a while and keep checking the temp. If it's still steaming after 20 minutes or so, you might still have a problem.

 

[Troubled93]

would a water pump be the next possible issue... i notice the temp seems to climb a little higher now... but i am still at work and havent let it idle to check anything

 

[hawkeye18]

would a water pump be the next possible issue... i notice the temp seems to climb a little higher now... but i am still at work and havent let it idle to check anything

You simultaneously lost fluid and introduced air into the system. Until you've refilled the system (which I'm sure you did, you seem like an intelligent person lol) and burped it of air bubbles (which there's really no set method of, just run it 'til it burps itself - squeezing the top radiator hose can help), you'll get temperature spikes as the air bubbles cross the coolant temp sensor.

As long as the temp spikes are fast (like, it suddenly jumps up to like N or higher, then stays there for a second, then jumps back down - classic air bubble), you shouldn't worry about anything.

And yes, there is a ton of coolant in engine webbing and all sorts of other nooks and crannies that will take at least a week to burn off. So don't worry about smoke for a while, just make sure you check your overflow tank every once in a while.

 

[Troubled93]

So... first off I wanna cry... but i drove home from work (4-5 miles) and the temp just pegged all the way past the red bar, and just started smoking like no other... so i check the coolant reservoir (full) and then i squeeze the upper rad hose by the airbox and it feels bone dry... like nothing gurgling or squishing... and when i shut the car off it was like making a boiling/bubbling sound... I am completely F****d and out of ideas as well as my DD!!! my only guess is water pump but could air in the system really cause something THIS bad?!?!?!?!?