Q: Noticed some steam or smoke coming from engine, not a lot though. Cars not overheating. What could it be?

asked by on March 04, 2018

Noticed some steam or smoke coming from engine, not a lot though. Cars not overheating. What could it be?

My car has 154000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Oil/Fluid Leak Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

If the car is not overheating, a likely cause of smoke or steam is coolant, oil, or other fluid leaking onto a hot engine part, such as the exhaust manifold, and vaporizing. If the smoke or steam is a regular occurrence, and if the material is oil or power steering fluid, leaks onto the hot exhaust manifold create a risk of fire (coolant leaks do not have that risk, of course) and in that circumstance it is not recommended to use the car until the leak is resolved. If you suspect a leak, the origin can be pinpointed, and a repair estimate prepared, if you request an oil/fluid leak diagnostic. Once that diagnostic is complete, the mechanic can let you know of your repair options and costs. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic because we want you to make the most of your repair dollars and help you to get the best possible results.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car jumps while driving and has trouble going into gear.
If you have a manual transmission you may have an issue with your clutch. Automatic or manual transmissions can have electrical issues causing gear selection to be difficult. The jump you are referring to sounds like a hard shift. You...
How do I adjust the volume in the infotainment system?
Adjusting the volume in the infotainment system is very easy. Simply rotate the VOL knob until you reach your volume preference. The volume will increase when the knob is rotated clockwise, and decrease when the knob is rotated counterclockwise.
Traction light on
The TCL, or traction light, typically appears in conjunction with either the ABS, anti-lock braking system, light or with the Service Engine Soon Light. The traction control on your Mitsubishi Galant not only utilizes the ABS for proper function but...
Lights on dash suddenly started flashing while driving, accompanied by car surging & stalling
The vehicle may have a problem with the power relay (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/ecm-power-relay-replacement) in the central junction box that powers the ignition and computer on the car. The relays and connections to the junction box will need to be checked if the...
broken exhaust manifold bolt.
If you haven't done this before, I highly recommend taking it to someone who has experience with broken bolt removal. This is a process that requires experience or the results can be very bad. When a newer technician is taught...
Car reads "Pressure Control Valve 3V". I believe it has to do with a solenoid.
Hello. I would need to know some more information about what you car is doing to be able to help with a diagnosis. If it is giving a pressure control code then most of the time this is caused by...
having trouble putting gas in car
Premature shut off of the pump nozzle means that the filler neck and tubing will have to be inspected (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/fuel-filler-neck-replacement). Additional sources of the problem could be that the neck or rubber hose to the tank are partially collapsed. There...
I get a check-engine light and Reduced power. Throttle not responding on hill climbs.
Hi there. The first thing to do is get a code reader and check the codes that the engine has stored since the engine light is on. This will give you a starting point and a place to check for...
When a car doesn't want to shift, what sensor is it for on a Cadillac SRX 2005?
Hi there. There are three different types of sensors and solenoids that will cause a transmission to not shift. 1. --- Transmission Position Sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/transmission-position-sensor-switch-replacement) 2. --- Vehicle Speed Sensor (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/speed-sensor-replacement) 3. --- Shift Solenoids (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/car-does-not-shift-from-park-to-drive-inspection) All three types of...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You Have 3 or More Kids
If If you have three or more kids, you could probably get by with a mid-size sedan if all you want to do is take them from Point A to Point B. Realistically, though, having kids means music lessons, athletics,...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Alaska in 2012
Alaska Alaska requires a different kind of vehicle to handle both the terrain and the wintery conditions. While some of the most popular options for the Alaskan terrain in previous years included options such as the Subaru Forester and the...
The Top 5 Selling Cars in Kansas in 2012
Kansas Kansas sees a varied climate with all four seasons, which means drivers in the area choose a variety of vehicles. In years past, some of the front-runners have included the Ford F-150, Buick and Toyota Camry. 2012’s top five...