Car Is smoking, rear bumper covered in oil. - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

skipster04 · 08-24-2009, 02:46 PM

so i pull into a parking lot last night to make a cell phone call and i look at the street light to see a plume of smoke crossing it, i get out and the smoke is coming from the vents in the back bumper and the bumper is coated in thin oil, the oil was not dark like engine oil, gear oil from the transmission possibly? or a/c refrigerant? i cant really tell, but the a/c seems a bit warm... but the tranny is loud so I'm not sure which it is.... i popped the engine cover but no smoke there it seems to be coming off the exhaust... any ideas? i cant get it up to the dealership until Saturday morning. I called them and they had no idea they want to look at it... too bad the dealership is an hour and a half away. the smoke is not coming out of the exhaust btw.

skipster04 · 08-24-2009, 02:47 PM

oh and the car has 1300 miles on it.

**jwight** · 08-24-2009, 02:49 PM

Something (know that doesn't help much) is dripping onto the exhaust is my guess. Check the engine for loose hoses, connections, oil filler cap, etc.

**jimvw57** · 08-24-2009, 02:50 PM

Pull the dipstick and check the oil level. Synthetic oil does not get as dark as reglar motor oil (dino oil) I would be hesitant to drive it until you find out where the oil is comming from. You don't want to damage anything or start a fire.

Okiesmrt · 08-24-2009, 02:53 PM

You have the same leak as me. It blows back on the muffler and burns. It looks like it's coming from between the engine and transmission.

doWorK. · 08-24-2009, 03:30 PM

First check you oil to see if your low. I've seen a couple where the seal on the oil pan leaks. And sometimes it appears to be comming from where the trans and engine meet but oil is only there from wind from driving blowing the oil around. Bring it to the dealer to check it out. Your under warranty, so smart could possible arrange a tow covered by them.

forestacademy · 08-24-2009, 04:50 PM

THe Post made it sound like it was SMOKING when in reality it was SmOOOking.

The Light may have been a contributing factor.

Many of us have had that new engine burning smell for quite a long break in, but most likely never had just the right light to see it.

It's the Light coating of oil that is a bit of a concern, but when was the last time you checked or cleaned that area? It collects all kinds of grime back there on a daily basis

MP3SMART · 08-24-2009, 06:15 PM

It's the Light coating of oil that is a bit of a concern, but when was the last time you checked or cleaned that area? It collects all kinds of grime back there on a daily basis

I sure hope you are still talking about the engine