Engine smoke and burnt coolant smell while driving
Smoke and the smell of burnt coolant coming from the engine bay indicate a potential coolant leak or overheating issue, even if the dashboard temperature gauge looks normal. Driving with these symptoms risks severe engine damage from overheating, so it is not safe to drive until the fluid levels and source of the leak are checked.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
- 1Checking for wet spots around hoses and the radiator after it cools
- 2Inspecting if anything is touching or leaking onto the exhaust
- 3checking coolant levels
- 4inspecting components in the engine bay
- 5Checking for shaft play on the impeller
- 6Spinning the turbine to feel for play
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“I was driving and I noticed this smoke coming out. It smells burnt.”source ↗
“Also, my car isn’t overheating, though, according to the gauge anyway.”source ↗
“Got off work barely got on the highway I saw some smoke coming from the engine bay. Got the smell of burnt coolant and some smoke.”source ↗
“Is there anything I can do to diagnose or fix the issue I have my tools with me right now. And is it safe for me to drive home without damaging the engine.”source ↗
“This is my 2011 Audi a4 2.0 it started shooting out white smoke and everyone’s saying it’s the turbo”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 3Grinding noise and smoke from under the car hood
- 3Smoke and oil leaking from engine bay after driving
- 32How to figure out what an unfamiliar car engine noise is
- 2Cylinder misfire and white smoke from exhaust
- 12How to find a hidden engine oil leak spraying on components
- 4Why is one coil pack tube hotter than the others?