Usually, white steam or smoke coming from the engine hood is a sign that you have engine overheating issues. What happens when you see smoke coming from under hood but not overheating? What could be the cause?
There are several reasons why you see smoke under the hood but the car is not overheating. But the simplest explanation is that fluid has landed on a hot engine part, such as the exhaust manifold, and the hot part is burning it off. Below, you will learn other possible reasons for this and how to address the issue.
Why Is Smoke Coming From Under Hood But Not Overheating?
If you are wondering why is my car smoking under the hood but not overheating—there are several reasons that could cause smoke coming from under the hood even when the vehicle is not overheating.
The most common reasons for white smoke coming from under the hood but not overheating are oil spillage and leakages, loose or corroded terminals, and electrical wiring issues. These possible causes are simple to fix but can escalate to severe problems if you ignore them for an extended period.
Oil spillage
If you see white smoke coming from under the hood but not overheating, it could be there’s an oil spillage that is dropping on a hot engine component. Maybe you spilled the engine oil during the oil change or there’s oil leakage. Engine oil can leak from several places, such as the valve cover oil seals, cracked valve cover, cracked timing cover, and faulty crankshaft oil seal.
Also, steering oil leaks from the pump, reservoir, or lines could drip on hot engine parts and burn off. If you see a car smoking under hood and burning smell from the engine compartment, it’s an indication of an oil leak somewhere in the engine.
Electrical wiring issues
Hot or burning electrical wires are another common cause of white smoke from under hood. If the smoke is coming due to a hot or burning electrical wire, you will perceive a pungent odor.
If the issue is from the copper wire in the alternator, you won’t perceive the smell unless the alternator is completely burnt. When that happens, the vehicle will have low voltage and the check engine light will appear on the dashboard.
Smoke from battery terminals
Wherever there is smoke, there is a problem. A poor connection at the battery terminal or at the other end, or a shorted positive battery terminal can cause smoke from the battery. If you have loose or corroded battery terminals that is preventing good connection, you will see arching on the battery connections.
Smoke from car batteries is no joke as they are dangerous and could cause explosives. It could be the car battery has internal shorts, making it very hot and causing the smoke you see. If this is the case, the best way of addressing the problem is by changing the battery.
Exhaust leaks
A leak in the exhaust system, such as a damaged pipe or cracked exhaust manifold, can cause smoke to emanate from under the hood. So, when you see smoke coming from the engine compartment, take a closer look at the exhaust manifold and pipes to see if the leaks are coming from those areas.
What Do I Do If My Car Starts Smoking But Not Overheating?
In most cases, smoke coming from under the hood but not overheating on Chevy or any other car model is not a major issue. If, however, you ignore the smoke and continue driving for an extended period, it can lead to catastrophic issues like battery explosions and fire outbreaks.
If smoke is emanating from your car underhood, look into these areas:
Check for oil leaks
Check for oil leaks in the engine bay if you think a fluid leak is the culprit. If low oil pressure light is illuminating on the dashboard due to oil leaks, do not drive the vehicle. Top up the oil until it gets the normal oil level mark on the dipstick.
Head straight to a repair shop for proper diagnostics or inspect the valve cover oil seals, the power steering pump, steering hoses, the engine timing cover, and the main oil seals for leaks. Replace or fix the faulty component as needed.
Fix burning or shorting wires.
Trace the smoke and see if there is any arching or burning electrical wires. If there is, it could be a positive wire is shorting somewhere. Turn off the vehicle, then locate and separate the shorting wires or contact your mechanic.
Clean the battery terminals.
If the smoke is coming from the battery terminals, thoroughly clean the cables and the battery terminals. After that, retighten them properly. Also, check the small wires that connect to the positive battery cable and ensure they are not shorting somewhere. If the battery keeps smoking after cleaning the terminals, there is a chance it is shorting inside. Contact your mechanic to take a closer look or replace the battery.
Check the exhaust for leaks.
Finally, check the exhaust for leaks. If the exhaust pipe or manifold is cracked or damaged, it can cause the smoke. However, exhaust leaks are easy to identify. If the smoke is coming from the exhaust, which indicates a leak, the engine will be making a loud and aggressive noise. Have your mechanic fix the leaking area.
Is It Normal For Smoke To Come Out Of Car Hood?
Whenever there is smoke in the engine hood, there is a problem. It could be a minor or severe issue. Even minor issues can escalate to catastrophic problems if not addressed on time.
The most common reason smoke comes out of the car hood is a small amount of engine oil and other fluids leaking onto or spilled on the exhaust system or on a hot engine part. The other fluids may include the brake, transmission, engine coolant, or power steering fluid dripping on a hot exhaust system.
FAQ
Why is my engine smoking but not overheating?
Worn Gaskets or Seals: Worn-out gaskets or seals can allow oil or coolant to leak into places where they shouldn’t, causing smoke without necessarily overheating. Burning Debris or Dirt: Sometimes, debris or oil residue on the engine or exhaust system can burn off, producing smoke
Why is steam coming from the hood of my car but not overheating?
When your car’s coolant leaks, it can react with the other areas of the vehicle, causing steam. While it can be a concern since it is the coolant flow, it mostly comes from your other systems like the air conditioning cooling system. It is the reason why your car does not increase in temperature even with the steam
Why is my car smoking smoke under the hood?
The most common cause of smoke under the hood is small amounts of motor oil or other fluids accidentally spilled or leaking from a bad gasket or seal onto a hot engine or the exhaust system. Those other fluids may include engine coolant, power steering, brake and transmission fluid, even window washer solvent
Can I drive my car with smoke coming from the engine?
If you’re noticing an issue with smoke or overheating, you’ll want to exercise caution, drive as little as possible (if at all), and peruse our guide to common causes of engine smoking and excess exhaust smoke
Can low oil cause smoke?
If you have low engine oil, one of the first signs your car is taking damage from it is when you start to smell smoke. This is caused by friction within the engine’s rods and pistons that aren’t receiving any lubrication. This smoke will smell very oily, almost as though something is burning
Why does my car smoke when I idle?
Smoke often leaves car engines as a result of overheating. This can be caused by faulty wire casings, heated residues on the engine block and overheated liquids including oil, transmission fluid and brake fluid. There may also be a fault in your coolant system, or your engine may not have enough lubricant
Is it normal for my hood to smoke in the rain?
Rain, water from the car wash or dew can accumulate on the fan or air conditioner condenser and — under just the right conditions — the moisture turns into plumes of steam. I agree with the dealer, there isn’t a problem
Is it normal to see steam from hood of car?
Smoke under the hood of a car will most likely be white. White smoke or steam can be caused by multiple possibilities, all of which would require immediate pull over and engine stop. White steam can be caused by ruptured cooling system hose, cracked radiator, or overheating due to cylinder head or gasket failure
