1998 Dodge Stratus engine smoke

OSCAR87

MEMBER
1998 DODGE STRATUS
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
98,000 MILES

I have a 98 stratus with about 98,000 miles on it. Ive noticed smoke rising from the engine that smells like oil but the car runs fine and another problem is the radiator is always empty even if we put coolant the day before but there are no leaks any help will be greatly appreciated

3 Replies

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

To better assist you is your model just the stratus or the ES and what is the engine size in liter?

Coolant... You are sure there are no external leaks... Is there any smoke coming out the tail pipe and if so what color?

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Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 AT 6:35 PM

OSCAR87

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The engine size is a 2.4 liter and the smoke is coming out of the engine not the tail pipe

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Thursday, October 8th, 2009 AT 12:16 PM

IMPALASS

MECHANIC
3,112 POSTS

Hello -

I am sorry....... You must have missed the one question was it just the Stratus or the ES model. So I will give you my thoughts on the Stratus...

Not sure if you have one or two problems.........

The smoke and oil smell... You need to look the engine over really good to see where the oil is running from. You may need to wash the engine.........

It may be from just the valve covers - no biggie... Just change the gasket. Or from the sending unit....... Then thing is you need to figure out where it is leaking from.

If it is leaking from the head... Big problem..... Which ties into the coolant. It has to be going somewhere.

Have you checked your oil and is it milky looking and filling above the normal line on the dip stick. That means you probably have a blown head gasket and the coolant is going into the oil. So check the dip stick or you may need to drain the oil.....

Let me know what you find out?

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Thursday, October 8th, 2009 AT 10:32 PM