Sturgiss

All right sports fans....I have a 04 rx8 less than 2 months ago took it in and they replaced everything under that 100,000 warranty new engine new plugs new everything....but when i stop and about to turn the car off the front right side has a few "puffs" of white smoke coming out of it....popped the hood def not coming from the engine...and enigne is warm before i turn it off...its white smoke smelling sweet goes away after 2-5 seconds...is from ur opinon do u think its oil-fuel burning off or coolant leaking....let me know thanks

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

sounds like coolant.

zoom44

coolant

Sturgiss

so what does that mean i need to do since its a coolant leak?

sauceyI986

i had a problem like this could just be bad coil. becuase when i had that happend to me mazda hit me for $750 for a spark plug and wire, what a ripp off

ShinkaEvo

iTrader: (3)

Check where it leaks and the condition of the reservoir.

jrx13

How about mark your coolant resevoir level with a sharpie and see if it constantly goes down and never returns to the same level. This is a good indicator of a leak.

zoom44

where did you get the idea that it was a leak?

Sturgiss

well im assuming because the white smoke is not coming from the engine and i would think the smell would it give it away

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

you certain it's not coming from the engine?
is there coolant on your under tray? garage? parking spot?

The reason I mention this is because if you have a side seal going out, coolant can seep out of the engine.

could be a leak, not saying it isn't but you want to consider it could be something else.

zoom44

my point being- its coming from the right front of the engine bay. if it was coming fomo the ENGINE you would definitely say it was a leak. coming from where the overflow bottle and tube are located it could simply be an OVER FILLED RESERVOIR.


you don't know either way because you havent located the source yet. start with that.

Sturgiss

eh i dunno doesnt look to full and now my oil light is on

Jedi54

iTrader: (7)

did you check the oil level?

Mazurfer

I'm going out on a limb now and say that this thread is going to end badly.

jasonrxeight

probably a cracked radiator

VOODOO8

Front right being the passengers side and no big puddles on the floor under the car = I'm guessing spill over from the overflow bottle. If data interpretation is right and guess about same is right then monitoring fluid level in the coolant overflow bottle would be a good place to start.

Mazurfer

^..............overfilled?
Bad cap?
Cracked lid at top of bottle not allowing proper seal?
Hole in a hose?
Cracked plastic piece at top of radiator leading to bottle?
Bad thermostat allowing coolant to come out of overflow tube?
So many choices.............OP needs to get in there and start debugging.

Then of course it gets worse if coming from engine itself!

Sturgiss

Its def leaking i can tell get a few drops on the pavement now where ever im parked just going to take it in to mazda called them today and they said they would look at it since i got the engine and everything else replaced less than a month ago but i do appreciate u guys takin the time to help me out

terch1

iTrader: (2)

I'm with everyone else def. sounds like coolant.

Sturgiss

ill let u guys know the final verdict and whoever was right gets a prize haha