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Smoke coming from base of engine/ exhaust

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Old Jul 10, 2020 | 11:26 AM
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Smoke coming from base of engine/ exhaust

hi everyone, I've noticed smoke emitting from the base of the engine at the exhaust on my 05 c240. I've attached a pic for reference. Any thoughts about a culprit? Thanks!
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Old Jul 10, 2020 | 03:16 PM
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I got under the car earlier and snapped a few pics. I can see quite a bit of oil buildup along the transmission as well as the beginning of the exhaust system at the base of the engine. I've added another pic. There's quite a bit of visible moisture around one of the bolts and it runs all the way around that ring. Is there a gasket here? I can't reach it... If so I have quite a bit of work ahead of me.




Last edited by Nick McCouch; Jul 10, 2020 at 03:19 PM.
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Old Jul 15, 2020 | 09:52 PM
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Any thoughts??
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Old Jul 16, 2020 | 05:00 AM
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If you want a quick and lazy solution, hose down the engine bay with some kind of engine degreaser. Then start the car again and see if you can see where all that oil or whatever that is is coming from.

Next I would check the exhaust system.

Honestly I would look into this ASAP. It almost looks like your car is in danger of catching on fire while you drive.

Unfortunately I don't know anything about your V6. But it looks like some gasket may have failed. Hopefully you can see some oil bubbling out after cleaning the engine.
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Old Jul 17, 2020 | 11:19 AM
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I am thinking that in order to access the areas in the pictures, I will need to lift the engine from the car. Does anyone else have any input? As I've said I am almost certain that the smoke is coming from there as the moisture surrounding that one bolt looked SIGNIFICANTLY more fresh than any other area.
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Old Jul 17, 2020 | 12:45 PM
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Wipe it down and take a look. The reason I say this is the oil may be coming from above (such as a leaking pump) and dripping down. This scenario is a common problem for the I4 engine, and may also apply to your situation.
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Old Jul 17, 2020 | 12:48 PM
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Originally Posted by slammer111
Wipe it down and take a look. The reason I say this is the oil may be coming from above (such as a leaking pump) and dripping down. This scenario is a common problem for the I4 engine, and may also apply to your situation.

I'll give it a go. Thanks!
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