A Coolant Leak in the Exhaust Manifold
The fastest way of diagnosing a coolant leak in your vehicle's exhaust manifold is if white smoke continuously expels from the tailpipe. Radiator coolant commonly leaks into the exhaust manifold through the head gasket, located above the cylinder heads.
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Diagnosis
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Thick, white exhaust smoke is the telltale sign of coolant leaking into the exhaust system. White smoke sometimes occurs when it is cold outside and/or when a vehicle is warming up. Continuous, thick, white smoke occurring after the car is warmed up may indicate a radiator coolant leak. The white smoke smells sweet. Also, check for a low coolant reservoir level under the hood.
Location
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Punctured radiator hoses, corroded freeze plugs, located behind the exhaust manifold and worn gaskets are common places for coolant leaks. According to AA1Car.com, a bad head gasket is the most common reason for coolant in the exhaust system. Overheating and age are major causes of a worn head gasket.
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Repair
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Repairing a coolant leak is vital. Coolant fouls spark plugs, produces white smoke in the exhaust system, causes overheating and when mixed with engine oil, causes internal engine damage. Check the oil, if it looks like a chocolate milkshake, coolant has leaked into the oil and driving the car may create further engine problems.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit radiators,wheels,& lights of classical car/vehicle image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
