smoke threw the vents/dash

[blksn955.o]

noticed this last night at a drive thru that took forever.

Its not pumping smoke or anything it just kinda "floats" threw the dash/vents fairly light but noticable? Really only noticed it after stopped for a good while.

I parked the car and ate in the lot and popped the hood to make sure it was not a fire or some stupid thing.

Its not leaking anti-freeze on the floor (heater core), its not an elec. fire or anything (that I can tell), does not smell like exh., oil , or antifreeze. It kinda has a smoke funk to it though just cant place it/its not very strong.

No oil leaks or coolant leaks under the hood, no volt spikes or drains, not running hot, and has great oil press with 70-75 startup, high20's to low 30's at warmed up idle and 50+ just cruising...with 60+ going WOT.

I am thinking either the heater core is "starting" to let go...SLOWLY. light clutch/maybe some oil from just sitting (very slight rear main leak...very light). It also may be the factory 4 cat H-pipe...like a little critter stuck in there since it has been 3 mo or so since it had ran.

Any other ideas? Going to try and get the car smog tested Tues. after work dont want to find out there and freak out the testers.

 

[sndrummer]

sounds like the heater core has a small leak. the one in my fox did the same thing, very light at first, and then one night got really bad, got a new core and it fixed it.

 

[go-stang5.0]

I had the same problem only once (it was last year)....I was chasing my buddys Hayabusa on the tollway (not racing just trying to keep up) and when I got home after that I noticed the smoke. But mine smelled like burning wire insularion.....no blown fuses, everything works...I have no idea what it was . Sorry I know this was useless..

 

[blksn955.o]

My first gut feeling was elec. issue some place...damn if I can find anything though. I hope its not the heater core but it is the stock 14yr old one.


Took it out lastnight and didnt do anything smoke wise...didnt stay "still" that long though either .

 

[hollywoodstang]

This happened to me when my car started leaking oil from rear main seal. it slowly creeps up through the vents, but if its not leaking alot you will not see it under the car. if it leaks alot your car will look as it is on fire! smoking from under the car! but you can test this by "SMELL" elec burning and oil burning has different smell to it. see it in the morning if there are oil spot under the car. even if it's small spot if it splashes while moving to the exhaust so it burns...

 

[Treachery]

I am having the EXACT same problem! At WOT, smoke blows through the vents. It smells like burnt Crazy Glue to me. I had my oil pan gasket replaced and it stopped for a little while but the smell remains. Currently, smoke blow *sometimes* through the vents. When smoke does not blow through the vents, that crazy smell is present most of the time.

There does not appear to be any oil leak BUT the bottom is slightly moist

At this point, i don't know if the oil pan gasket rear seal is failing again, or if the problem is the heater core, also 14 years old.

 

[RAD]

I've had that smell when small piece of that black plastic insulation fell on my header but no smoke (thanks god!).