white smoke ford explorer looking for some advice?

  • Thread starter Thread starter happyhoppyfloppy
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happyhoppyfloppy

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So I have a 1999 ford explorer and had a service check just a couple months back. The other day when i was driving to school, I noticed white smoke coming from the hood so I pulled into a parking lot to take a look. I then realized that the temperature gage was reading hot. I noticed that the smoke was coming from what between the radiator and engine. The check gage light has also come on for some reason. I'm just a broke student trying to not get ripped off when i go to the mechanic so any help would be great! ...

Thanks,
Jonny
 
may be a pin hole in the radiator. May be a leak in one of the hoses. Top off the water and let it warm up again. Look and see where it is leaking. if it is in the radiator you can buy some of the leak stop stuff. I have heard these may damage gaskets and seals, but if you are broke...
 
I say Thermostat try it by running the car to temperature and then feeling the radiator see if it is hot, If not your thermostat isn't opening

Make sure your temp gauge is over about 90 maybe at about 100.

Hope this helps x
 
Reading hot? Low on coolant - (do not check the overflow tank - look in the radiator, when it is COLD to see if is full). May be why you see white smoke.

White smoke is usually hot coolant leaking.

If is full - could be stuck shut stat if it goes from cold up to hot in just a matter of minutes. To check when hot - feel the radiator and the lower hose. If they are cool then the stat is stuck shut. $10.

If all the hoses are hot and the system is full - suspect a clogged radiator, (similar to a closed stat but worse cause it will cost more).

Also suspect a failing water pump or loose fan belt, (tension er).

Good Luck
 
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