My engine is smoking

Tiny
OLEVIA WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
Whenever I crank my car it smokes from the area indicated in the photo. Everything is full as it should be. Coolant, oil, brake fluid, etc. What's the problem? I'm scared to drive the car thinking something will go wrong. Please help! Thanks.
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 2:06 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi,

More than likely you have a slow oil leak from the valve cover which I circled in red. Before you start it next time, just run your finger on the exhaust manifold which is the part I put the small red arrow on. If there is any fluid on this then that is what is smoking. Clearly an oil leak on the exhaust is not good but the smoke is just the oil burning off. It is ok to drive it but I would make a point of getting it identified and repaired.
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 5:18 PM
Tiny
OLEVIA WILLIAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you so much for your help!
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Wednesday, October 30th, 2019 AT 7:27 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
You are very welcome. Please come back if you need more help in the future. Thanks
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Thursday, October 31st, 2019 AT 5:46 PM

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