Was driving to school this morning and saw some smoke coming from under hood. The temp gauge was less than half way, so I don't think this is an overheating issue. I checked the coolant level and it was fine (both the overflow bottle and radiator) The smoke was coming from in between the radiator and condenser, so I can't pinpoint what this is? Could it be the water pump? FWIW, it happened in traffic, I didn't see anything while driving on the highway.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but this is obviously bugging me pretty bad.

 

oem radiator? is it seeping between the seam at the plastic tank?

 

Can you spot any leaks anywhere? It may just be a pinhole that opens more under pressure. When you get home, turn it on, and see if you can spot a leak as she warms up, just be careful to not overheat the thing.

Mitch

 

I did notice a leak, but I'm 99% certain it was the bottle (which I just replaced) It just seems weird that the temp gauge would read out at less than half but see this smoke?

I topped the car off on coolant a couple days ago, and when I checked the level in the rad it wasn't low, so this makes me think that there is no leak coming from it.

 

You're seeing smoke probably because coolant is leaking onto something hot and burning up. You may have a pinhole leak like I mentioned, not enough to show huge losses, but enough to spray some under pressure and smoke.

 

That's what I thought originally, which is why I replaced the bottle (assumed it was leaking from there)

 

Check all the hoses, coolant runs through an upper and lower hose, into the block, back on the IACV etc etc.

 

Lets stop geussing and do the right thing... do a coolant pressure test, thats going to detect any leaks on youre cooling system. its very easy to do only take bout 2 minutes to do with the pressure test kit..

 

It's not your overflow tank. It's one of your coolant hoses. Use a pressure tester^^ if you can't pinpoint it.