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**[email protected]** · August 18th 06, 03:51 PM posted to rec.autos.makers.vw.watercooled

Don't forget the infamous VW heater core issue. It might be that as
well.

RepairJunkie wrote:
> 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