Pellaz

Hey guys, I've got a 96 chevy lumina, and sadly enough I can't provide info on the more technical stuff, being an idiot when it comes to cars. Here's the story.

Wife comes in last night (we'd experienced mad rain all day) from about a 10 mile round trip to the store, and stopped at the 7-11 about 50 feet from our home. Got back in the car, and noticed "steam or smoke" coming out of the car. Went out when she told me, popped the hood, but didn't really see anything deadly looking, couldn't tell if it was possibly even heat causing the tiny wisps I saw in the flashlight beem. But, the kicker is, it's got an absorbant-ish pad on the underside of the hood, and it was pretty damp, and had a *bit* of antifreeze taste to it, but not much at all. -Here's where it's important to note that while we were home for christmas, had to get the intake gaskets replaced because we were loosing antifreeze, but we got it before water got into the oil/engine, so there could easily be residual antifreeze all over the place in there.- it looks like there might be a little leak, but if so, it's realatively clear fluid and very slight....it's hard to tell what's new and what's old in our parking lot, and I haven't found anything wet. Antifreeze is at the right level, as is oil and transmission fluid. Car does not overheat, make wierd noises, or anything else, and I haven't witnessed it happen again, although I've only driven it about 5 miles right now. Anyone able to shed some light on potential problems that this could be? I've got no idea of a trustworthy mechanic in my area, and sadly the community I live in seems geared toward taking advantage of those who don't know better (military town, kids right outa highschool and basic are constantly getting ripped off), so am very leary to just walk into a mechanics blind as it were. Thanks much anyone who took the time to read this.

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Dixie_Wrekked

you may have an oil, fuel, or antifreeze leak, and when it comes in contact with the heated block of the engine it can burn off leaving smoke or steam. we had this problem with my jeep, whener we changed anything out and got fluid on the block after we started it up it burned off whatever was on it and created smoke.

mastertakana

dont taste antifreeze, it is very toxic. sqeeze radiator hose andd look for a leak though, that might help

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Dixie_Wrekked

or you could use the old trick of spraying liquid on certain areas of the engine and where it bubbles you may have a leak

theguyondacouch

Um, im not famuliar with that car, but ive never had any experince with an intake casuing fluid leaks. Maybe a head gasket?

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ZërØ¢ØØ£

to see if there are any leaks, have your cooling system pressure checked. From that, the mechanic can tell you where the leak is coming from if you have a leak

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