Over the past few days I have noticed a disturbing degree of smoke seeping from the edges of my hood.

Here are some of the additional symptoms.

1. Doesn't start until after I have been driving for ten minutes of so.
2. The temperature gauge reads normal.
3. No service lights come on.
4. The smell of the smoke is a burning smell, NOT sweet.
5. Engine seems to be running fine--no knocks or pings.
6. My wife drove behind me yesterday and observed that there was NO exhaust coming from my muffler, but smoke seemed to coming from the front passenger wheel well.

From our observations, it looks like a misdirected exhaust issue, but we're not sure.

Anyone have any insight?

Thanks,

 

If it's white smoke and not
grey smoke or
black smoke
more than likely it's steam.
You don't have much on that side of the car that would leak. The A/C Evaporator Case drain is there along with some heater hoses.

Something leaking may be falling on a hot exhaust manifold / pipe and boiling off.
Give the cooling system a good, long pressure test (while the engine's cold), and pay particular attention to any oil leaks from the front of the valve cover.

P

 

Thanks, P!

I am still concerned by the burning smell and that I'm apparently not emmitting any exhaust from my tail pipe.

 

If you had an exhaust leak from under the hood, there would be (most likely) an associated exhaust noise.
I had Pipe1 break just below the converter on my wife's '96 Civic EX, and it sounded like a Cessna 182 at takeoff power
I suspect you're smelling oil on a hot manifold / pipe.

P

 

We definitely do not have that problem.

However, my wife claims that the smell reminds her of burning rubber--she feels it might be a belt that is burning. However, I can't see how that could happen over the course of several days without the said belt finally burning through and snapping.

Thanks again!

 

OPEN THE HOOD

 

I have to agree with our friend from Osaka, maybe it's time to get this in the air so we can get a better idea what's happening.
Oil leak / hot manifold.
My wife (also) equates burning oil as burning rubber
It must be that Pherimone thing ....

P

 

hit a curb and tire rubs kiinda smoke or smokes while sitting still with engine running ?