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2009 Acura RDX, sporadic smoke emissions from the engine compartment


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jtbetz
New User

Jan 4, 2023, 7:17 AM

Post #1 of 4 (2198 views)
2009 Acura RDX, sporadic smoke emissions from the engine compartment Sign In

2009 Acura RDX, 2.3L 4-cylinder engine, 80K miles

For the past several weeks, when I start up the car, after it has run for a few minutes, there is smoke coming out of the engine compartment and a strong burning odor in the passenger compartment. The smoke usually dissipates quickly - it lasts no more than 5 minutes after it starts.

Looking under the hood, the smoke is coming from an area a bit aft and to the passenger side of the oil fill cap.

I've noticed that the smoke is most pronounced on cold days (especially close to or below freezing) and after the vehicle has been sitting idle for a few days.

My best guess is that there is something slowly leaking inside the engine compartment while the car is parked, then it gets burned off quickly once the engine starts. I imagine it naturally evaporates at warmer temperatures, which is why the effect is more pronounced when it has been cold for a few days.

I took the vehicle to the mechanic that I've used & trusted for several years with all my vehicles; he looked into it for a few days, did a complete cooling system check/flush, but couldn't come up with an explanation for what might be wrong.

Any ideas what might be causing this problem?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 4, 2023, 8:02 AM

Post #2 of 4 (2187 views)
Re: 2009 Acura RDX, sporadic smoke emissions from the engine compartment Sign In

It's a bit of a shocked that this "mechanic" could not find the source of the problem. It clearly sounds like an oil leak dripping onto the exhaust somewhere.

With the age of the vehicle I would be very surprised if it didn't have any oil leaks.

No, oil does not evaporate.



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(This post was edited by Hammer Time on Jan 4, 2023, 7:19 PM)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 4, 2023, 7:17 PM

Post #3 of 4 (2168 views)
Re: 2009 Acura RDX, sporadic smoke emissions from the engine compartment Sign In

New mechanic or if you like him/her the shop, try again.

Oil leaks from IDK where (nobody does) smells terrible if limited goes away.

Leave the car let them start it cold this shouldn't be rocket science to find. Fixing it remains an IDK,

T



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
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Jan 5, 2023, 5:09 PM

Post #4 of 4 (2134 views)
Re: 2009 Acura RDX, sporadic smoke emissions from the engine compartment Sign In

Sorry for 2nd post, same subject.
Older than old trick/works! Try putting smoke in just lifted up dipstick.

It's supposed to be a very slight vacuum not pressure.

Why would it be wrong?

1. Worn out engine!
2. PCV system however done isn't working. It's got to be a vacuum in crankcase anything or will blow oil out - "Path of least resistance" type thing.

* Car may seem old to some. It' light years newer than my own fleet of stuff vehicle or not.

Scares folks how old some is and I use it/them!

Other: This and other trades are not popular for younger folks it changes, tools so costly you'd choke.

Customers think it's a rip off more than any other trade there's no reason for that it's hard, dirty, full of hazmats to handle.

If you have a life or family go home AFTER work smelling like some waste dump is a joy.

Back: Just to subject line this is "blowby" exceeding PCV.

Try the test if wrong there's a problem you don't know if fatal (to an engine) or not just that it's a problem,

Tom







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