Coolant mist/smoke coming from engine bay after I turn off my car

[derek2079]

After a drive in my car and shutting it off my engine starts to make a coolant smoke. It would also sometimes leak what I believe is coolant because it smelled like it and looked like it but I'm not absolutely sure. It did this the time I overfilled the oil by a few quarts but stopped after I changed the oil and now it's back again. It has 147k miles. I am doubting that anyone here can diagnose it without actually seeing it but I figured I'd give it a shot. Also my engine isn't overheating at all.

[jaychen]

probably oil dripping from vc onto manifolds

[bwizard]

probably oil dripping from vc onto manifolds

I agree

Sent from my S4's talk to text @ a buck thirty

[derek2079]

Is it still safe to drive? I check my oil frequently including today and levels were good.

[bwizard]

As long as levels are good mine mists when it's cold oil drops from vc onto turbos after is warm no problem

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[derek2079]

What's a vc?

[bwizard]

Valve cover gaskets leak common problem

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[derek2079]

Oh it's probably that. When I bought the car the previous owner said they were bad I think.

[jaychen]

just look at them..

[derek2079]

just look at them..

Haha you assume way to much of me.

[jaychen]

what have you been doing the past 12 years

[derek2079]

what have you been doing the past 12 years

Actually sold my car in 07 and didn't buy another til 2015 which was a BMW. Got tired of that car then just bought this S4 in August of 16. However I digress. I don't believe you would be satisfied with a single answer I give you. So were past that now. Thanks for your input. I'm going to try to find a video on how to change my valve covers.

[jaychen]

just rip everything out till you can take the vc's off. pretty simple really

[Seerlah]

It's just bolts and nuts. Then parts that scare the crap out of people...held on by nuts and bolts. Look past the part and that mind trip hurdle can be jumped. Makes things easier after that.

[derek2079]

I have a bad back so it would be kind of a hard Job for me. If I hired someone off craigslist to fix it can anyone say how many hours it would take? Because a lot of craigslist mechanics are crooks.

[bwizard]

It took me 1.0 hr to do both of mine but I have been wrenching for 30 years search for your year/make/model book time

Sent from my S4's talk to text @ a buck thirty

[derek2079]

Ok thats good to know. Thank you

[vavJETTAw36]

When I did mine first time it took me maybe 3 hours both sides.


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[88ninety9]

Only 16 10mm nuts, literally an hour job tops if your back can take it. Best advice I can give you is NOT to have some random off craigslist wrench on your s4. Biggest mistake you could make IMHO