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**RepairJunkie** · August 18th 06, 02:36 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled

wrote:
> Hi all, just bought a 1993 VW Passat GLX V6, 170,000 miles. Looked
> good, test drive for half hour in various conditions.
>
> Drove for two days before white smoke started coming out from under the
> hood and through the A/C vents; temp light came on. Pulled over
> immediately and had it towed to my mechanic.... who was on vacation.
>
> Next day drove it a few blocks to Jiffy Lube and on the way it smoked
> again. I stopped and checked the coolant level and there was hardly
> anything in the damn thing! Construction guy on the road dumped water
> into it and I headed to Jiffy Lube; changed oil, told them about what
> happened, they said they filled the coolant and I should be alright
> just have it checked when my mechanic gets back. Sure enough not
> halfway home the smoke started from under the hood again.
>
> It looks like smoke, not steam. Under hood every time and through the
> vents the first time while A/C was on; left A/C off after that. Hard
> time distinguishing smell; kindof burny possibly electrical but I'm not
> real sure.
>
> Took it back to my mechanic who got home this morning; right off the
> bat he found a coolant leak where a hose connects to the thermostat
> housing.
>
> Could there be something else going on as well? Any questions I should
> ask my mechanic? What do you think I should expect? I want to do some
> research on my own, not just take one person's word for it - you never
> know.
>
> Thanks much,
>
> Cris

Cris,

Reminds me of the first time I sprang a heater hose.... Here's the
rundown:
blue gray color is oil
black color is fuel
white is coolant
These colors are usually coming out of the exhaust pipe when something
goes wrong, but in your case (coming out from under the hood) it's the
cooling system leaking. Be very careful -- If you run it low on
coolant and it over heats too much, you can crack your engine block,
warp your head ( a your crankcase head that is...) -- put your hat back
on.... And removing the radiator cover while the engine is hot may
release spattering steaming pressurized coolant that still remains --
so cover it with a heavy towel doubled up and look out.

Good luck