18 replies to this topic

[green sprite]

Probably been asked a few times before...

I have a 1998 rover mini mpi. I have noticed recently that when driving for a While the engine seems to be smoking or steaming from the driver side. When i put the auxiliary fan on it comes inside the car. When i Pull over and let the engine run for a While there is no steam or smoke (not sure which one it is). i can not see an visible leaks in the radiator and theres none of that dreaded Mayo looking stuff in the radiator cap or oil cap!!

The Temp guage doesnt go over half way either.

I appreciate it can be a million problems just looking for a bit of advice.

[tiger99]

When it happens, you need to stop as quickly as possible and open the bonnet to at lest catch a glimpse of where it seems to be coming from. Otherwise there is not much for us to go on.

 

Does it smell?

[ukcooper]

what's it smell like

 

oil then Probly piston rings dose not have be blue smoke rocker cover leaking

nothing Probly water head gasket or crack in head or block or just condensation just a water leak

coffee more than likely clutch burnt out or slipping or brakes

 

or summit rubber under car whilst you drive.

 

my 10p worth 

[green sprite]

I dont remember any smell. Mini drives fine..havent noticed any loss of power.

[minimans]

My first thought is on your auxiliary fan, Is on backwards? the air should be pulled out and away under the wing, if the smoke gets in the car when on sounds like its pulling not pushing? Second as above whats it smell like? Normally we associate blue with oil. Black with excessive fuel (RICH mixture) and white with coolant, also on the colour scale is grey which is brake fluid, if the servo leaks brake fluid to the vacuum side you will get grey smoke but not out of the engine end unless the manifold is leaking (And if it is grey/brake fluid DON"T sniff it, burning brake fluid produces a form of mustard gas, not good for you!)  Does the smoke linger? if it's steam it dissipates very quickly, oil smoke not so much.

 

Edit.............Forgot to ask do you have to top up anything on a regular basis? If it's steaming that bad you will be losing coolant!! Oil takes a bit longer to show low level because a little bit produces lot's of smoke.

Edited by minimans, 08 May 2017 - 08:48 PM.

[green sprite]

The its a greyish White colour. It clears pretty quickly from the car. I have noticed a loss of coolant and it appears to be leaking from the thermostat housing. Sometimes there is a patch of Water on the floor Underneath the car. The car does have a oil leak (what mini doesnt) but its minimal.

[russo]

If its really white it sounds like it has a blown head gasket. The white smoke is anti-freeze burning. Check the smell as it has a smell of its own.

[Steve220]

Wing aux fan in the wing for MPi? Is it an import? With air con?

[gazza82]

RHD or LHD ??? .. driver's side could be radiator/thermostat side or gearbox ...

[green sprite]

Its a Rhd. Its not an import. The engine fan is on the left hand side.

Im pretty sure its not smoke. Its seems to be intermitten.

[Steve220]

I'm pretty sure it's not an MPi engine as they have the radiators at the front and an expansion tank.

Could you take a photo and point where the steam is coming from? Sounds like a leak somewhere but trying to narrow it down might be tricky. When it is coming out the bonnet, can you pull over and see where it's coming from?

Edited by Steve220, 09 May 2017 - 10:30 AM.

[green sprite]

The fan is on the left handside parallel to the grill.

[tiger99]

From the information which we now have, I would suggest considering that it may be escaping coolant, containing anti-freeze, contacting a hot part such as the exhaust manifold. Does that make any sense?

[green sprite]

Ive just had a look. There is Water leaking from the thermostat gasket housing. Looks like the Water may seeping on the engine block.

[tiger99]

Well, that is good news, as it is normally an easy repair, just needing a new gasket. If the housing is fitted with studs rather than bolts, I would suggest removing the nuts, and radiator top support plate if it fits over the studs, and putting penetrating oil down the stud holes, and letting it soak for a day or so. Otherwise, the studs often corrode and make the housing very difficult to remove without damage.