QuestionQUESTION: Just bought a used 2002 Dodge Stratus SE. We took it for a 10 minute city drive and when we stopped, white smoke was coming from the passenger side. The engine didn't feel hot, but the coolant hose was hot. Water was bubbling around the top where the coolant hose was connected. Thoughts? Could it be the thermostat?
ANSWER: Hi Susan,
Where was the white smoke eminating from? If from the tailpipe outlet at the rear or somewhere along that exhaust pipe where there may be a leak, then that would be the possibility of engine coolant getting into the combustion chambers due to a head gasket leak of the engine. It would be most pronounced when you first start up the engine after letting it sit overnight. Typically a lot of white smoke immediately after starting is tell-tale for that sort of a cause.
How did the temp gauge read after the 10 minute drive? If it indeed was reading near H then of course the thermostat may be failing to open at the proper temperature. The radiator itself might have impaired flowthrough as another reason for the heating prematurely. Or there could be air in the system that needs to be bled out.
Can you speak with the previous owner to see what they know/have experienced recently with the cooling system?
Is the the 2.0/2.4L or the 2.7L engine?
I can copy the pages from the shop manual about some of the issues related to checking out the cooling system and attach those to an email I will send directly to you. But I need to know your email address which you can tell me by sending me a 'follow-up question' where-in you list your email address in the question text area AND you select the box that will make it a PRIVATE question. If you don't click on the box to make it private then the email address will be automatically erased.
Please 'rate' my answer (see below).
Thanks,
Roland
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QUESTION: I didn't see an option for making this private. I can try doing a new post to you and making it private.
The smoke (maybe more like steam) is coming from near where the cooling system is located, under the hood on the passenger side of the car. It doesn't happen when the car is first started. We took it for a test drive when we first looked at it and it didn't happen at all. We bought it from a dealership, so I don't know who the owners before that were, but it had a clean carfax - no mention of cooling system issues. It has most likely been sitting in a lot for a while.
It is the 2.7L engine. The temp gauge didn't read hot.
ANSWER: Hi Susan,
It is difficult to diagnose this without a better idea of exactly where the steam is coming from. It may simply be a loose hose clamp for example. Is there any warranty on the purchase that you could avail yourself of? Ask a new question and click on the box to make it private and that way I'll get your email address. I do have to shut down my availability in the next 15 minutes so if I am shown as maxed out then send me the new private question tomorrow.
Roland
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2002 dodge
QUESTION: I am attaching a picture of where the steam and the small amount of boiling water are coming out of the car. The issue seems to be where I have circled in the picture. Thanks so much for your help!!!
AnswerHi Susan,
That area is where "coolant outlet connector" is located. The coolant exits the engine at that point and flows out of its three outlets: to the upper radiator hose, a hose to the heater core, and a hose to the coolant pressure container bottle. Any one of those three hoses might be leaking slightly due to cracking or hardening of the hose rubber. Each is held in place by clamp which is most easily released by means of a Chrysler tool #8495 (made by Miller Tool Co. and available at a professional auto parts supply store), but a person with mechanical experience can probably figure a way around having to get that tool. So that would be the likely cause of the loss of steam and coolant which I would inspect. It may be a very minor issue.
If the leak is not from the hoses but rather from where the connector is gasketed to the engine then the bolts might be slightly loose on that (torque to 9 foot-pounds). If they are not loose and there is nonetheless a leak at the joint then the 'outlet connector' needs to be removed and a new gasket installed. To do that the upper intake manifold of the engine apparently needs to be removed.
So that would be my analysis. I hope that the dealer who sold the vehicle will deal with this issue for free.
Thanks for the photo. And thanks too for the rating and nomination.
Roland
