Smoke coming from the driver side vent

Tiny
MOE.EMJ
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 MERCEDES BENZ SLK350
  • 3.5L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 68,000 MILES
Hi,

I have the car listed above, right side steering wheel.
the car is in good condition, however, I was travelling for a week and didn't drive the car (car was parked in my garage). When I got back from travel and drove the car for 3-5 minutes, a white smoke with burnt oil smell came out from the driver side vent. I pulled over and turned off the engine, then more white smoke with more smell came out and stopped after 20 seconds. I parked the car in garage and did not drive for another week. When I started the engine after another week the same smoke with the same smell came out from the same place after 30 seconds from starting the engine.

similar thing with smaller amount of smoke had happened about 2 months ago when I didn't drive the car for a few days, but after driving it several times I hadn't seen this smoke.

In addition to this, I have seen some white substances on the floor under the car under where dashboard or engine is located. I noticed that when it rains the drops under this area form a thin white layer on the floor when it dries. I attached some photos.

I took it to a mechanic first time this happened 2 months ago and he changed the oil caps on the back side of the engine but it has not worked.

I highly appreciate any idea what could be the reason and solution for this?
Monday, June 7th, 2021 AT 5:13 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
The smoke and smell coming from the vents is normally a heater core that is leaking but it should smell sweet when coolant is vaporized. Plus the heater core housing should have a drain and that would be right about where you are seeing these spots.

So the fact that it smells like oil tells me we may have two issues. First. we need to check the cooling system and make sure there is not oil in the coolant.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/coolantantifreeze-in-the-engine-oil

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/head-gasket-blown-test

We can then pressure test the cooling system but if there is oil and coolant mixing then that is what needs to be addressed first because more then likely we are going to have to replace the heater core anyway as they normally are not able to be flushed. So if it is leaking as well then it will be taken care of with this repair.

Let's start with checking the coolant and go from there.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Monday, June 7th, 2021 AT 6:41 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links