why is there white smoke from behind the engine?

Question

is it the power steering fluid? for a 1997 dodge stratus.

Answer 1

When you have white smoke out of the exhaust that means you're burning water. Usually a blown head gasket or possibly a cracked head.

Answer 2

Blue smoke is from burning oil and usually indicates worn valve guides or piston rings . . .

White steam with water condensing out the tailpipe can be normal when starting up on a winter day or indicate that water is leaking into the combustion chamber from a blown head gasket if it's persistent . . . Steam dissipates rapidly in the air and you'd note that your radiator is always going low on coolant . . .

White smoke that persists in the air is caused by an over rich fuel mixture and can be caused by worn injectors, bad oxygen sensor, bad mass-air sensor, or a defective computer . . .

Answer 3

if you are seeing smoke behind the engine, and you don't have an exhaust leak, it probably is p/s fluid. the reservoir is directly ove r the exahsut manifold, and could leak on top it. there are also 2 lines that run across the top of the manifold over to the steering rack. one of these lines was recalled last year on the 4 cyl cars because they could break and leak. call your dealer with your vin number.

Answer 4

White smoke means your burning antifreeze or water and is usually from a blown head gasket.

Answer 5

White smoke is from Water. Oil Smoke will be Blue.

Answer 6

in most cases white smoke coming out of the exhaust means your burning anti freeze and in most cases its because your head gasket is bad.

Answer 7

it can be that there is an oil leak or maybe a fluid leak that is causing the smoke.........this meann]ing that it may be leaking onto the hot engine therfore causing it to smoke.

Answer 8

You nay have put too much oil in the tank or too much oil is mixing in with the gasoline for some reason.

Answer 9

its possible that you are burning fuel by running to rich