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**RepairJunkie** · August 18th 06, 02:28 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