Smoke and oil leaking from engine bay after driving
Oil leaking from components like the power steering rack and pinion can drip onto hot exhaust parts, causing smoke to billow from the engine bay. This leaves drivers worried and uncertain about what is causing the issue or how to diagnose it safely.
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 loose connections or leaks
- 2Inspecting hoses
In their words
Unedited, most upvoted first, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Any Ideas what is causing this smoke in my 2007 Lexus Es 350?”source ↗
“I have problems with the power steering fluid leaking due to the rack and pinion... could this be the fluid leaking onto the exhaust?”source ↗
“Last weekend, I took the car out for about 30 minutes. When I got back, I noticed smoke coming from the engine bay. I popped the hood and saw smoke and what appears to be oil coming from the area I circled.”source ↗
“I’m not very experienced with cars, so seeing this definitely has me worried.”source ↗
“I did hear a pthff sound right after I started it”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4Engine smoke and burnt coolant smell while driving
- 3Grinding noise and smoke from under the car hood
- 2Cylinder misfire and white smoke from exhaust
- 2Car shaking and burning smell while driving
- 12How to find a hidden engine oil leak spraying on components
- 3Why is my car losing oil with no leaks or smoke?