I noticed this morning after driving to work (8 miles) that steam was coming out of the engine compartment on the driver's side. It did not appear to be smoke. It did not smell. I could not tell where it was coming from but looked to be near the coolant reservoir. Does anyone know what this is and if I need to fix anything?

 

it certainly needs to be looked at. something is starting to leak for there to be steam. It wasn t raining out? water or coolant on hot engine parts makes steam... need to track it down before you get stranded.

 

Is the car over heating? Dash warning lights? Antifreeze tabk leaking?

 

From what you have described so far it sounds like a coolant hose with a leak due to a crack

 

I would definitely look at before you leave work. Keep us posted on what you find.

 

thanks for all the help. no warning lights or overheating. the coolant does leak quite a bit. the "steam" is not hot or anything. i guess "vapor" would be a more accurate descritpion. i got an appointment to take it in. i believe its what purple squirrel said, a crack in the coolant hose.

 

Mine always leaks from under the pasenger side kinda looks like a elbo 11"s long and bends that hose some how is the death of mee changed it 3 times

 

is there coolant (dried or wet) around the cap? early production caps could leak and have been subsequently updated. if it was leaking a lot, could have fallen on hot engine/produced steam. i would at least check that first - easiest and cheapest fix to diagnose.

 

The coolant overflow tank is prone to cracking right where the hose connects to the tank.

You mention "the coolant does leak quite a bit". What does this mean? Is the coolant level when cold between the min & max lines on the overflow tank? Do you need to keep adding coolant periodically? If so, this is a problem that needs to be checked out.

 

i fill it between the min and max lines and it leaks out below the min line everyday. a puddle behind the driver side rear. i bought a new cap but that doesn't seem to work.

 

Cracked coolant tank. Very common.

 

is this DIY deal?

 

Coolant Tank or Cap problem....very common

 

i found the part at suncoast for about $100 or so. anyone know of any step by steps?

 

Step by Step procedure shown below at this link:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarti...eplacement.htm


For reference:

https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ank-996tt.html