hello all...have a 98 legacy outback limited with 187,000 miles.

 

2.5 engine with new head gaskets, new radiator, new fluids, new timing belt,

new thermostat. started smoking (white smoke) from under hood , about 15 minutes after start up. Cleared up just as fast. Looked under hood....no coolant leaks, temp gauge is normal , found power steering fluid all over top of block. Could this fluid cause pufs of white smoke for short periods?

 

Any thoughts all you subby guys and girls?

 

Much thanx

did it do this right after any work or out of the blue?

 

after having work done it's not that uncommon for fluids that dripped into crevices, exhaust ports, heat shields...etc to burn off after start up.

 

if it's random, then you have a fluid leak. if your power steering fluid is known to be leaking then that's probably the cause. fix known stuff first before thinking it's something else.

 

CV boots loosing grease will also cause smoke as it splatters and heats up.

White smoke makes me think coolant is leaking onto the exhaust, at least that is the first thing that comes to mind. The fact that it stops after the car is warmed up kind of leads me to believe that the head might be warped.

 

Who replaced the head gasket? Not to question your mechanic skills but I had to ask. Also did the head get sent to a machine shop to make sure that it is not warped?

 

As for the power steering fluid are you sure that is what it was? Check the PS pump and resevoir for any leaks. Clean off the block and disconnect the belt for the PS pump fire up the car and see if you get the same result.

 

Just some ideas. Hope they help.

It's winter, these things happen, just another thought. Water gets on thins, snow melts, etc.

 

 

nipper

the heads where done and sent out to a machine shop, thw work was done about a year ago, it has done this about 4 times now.....os soon as it smokes,

it seems to go right away before i can stop and open it up.....

 

 

yes its power steering fluid...

 

thanks to all that replied with ideas

 

 

Rob

willing to bet you have/had some coolant on the radiator from filling up-hard to keep a few drops etc from escaping the filler cap. make sure the AT dipstick (I assumed it is auto) is in place if you think you had power steering fluid all over the place. just make sure all pieces are back in place after the open heart surgery.

 

edit: a year ago? I have no idea-white smoke = coolant. you can't see it before it's gone-what does it smell like under the hood?

Edited December 18, 200817 yr by 98obster
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