What Causes Smoke from the Radiator?
2 Answers
The reasons for smoke coming from a car radiator are as follows: Steam rising from the car radiator is a normal phenomenon because the function of the car radiator is to dissipate heat from the engine cooling system, with a surface temperature of 80-90°C. In winter, if water splashes onto the radiator surface, it will evaporate upon contact with the high temperature, producing steam, which is perfectly normal. If steam is coming from inside the car radiator, it indicates that the radiator cap is not sealing tightly, and you need to go to a repair shop to replace the radiator cap or the sealing gasket of the radiator cap. Extension: Generally, the reason may be that the car radiator cap is not sealing tightly, causing the radiator temperature to rise after the engine runs for a while, and steam to emerge from the radiator. Normally, the radiator cap should seal tightly. When the radiator temperature rises, the water inside the radiator expands due to heat, and the excess water will flow back into the antifreeze reservoir. When the car engine stops running and the temperature drops, the volume of water inside the radiator decreases as the temperature falls, and the water in the antifreeze reservoir will flow back into the radiator through the siphon effect.
Last time I drove to the countryside, I suddenly saw smoke coming from the hood, which gave me a fright! Smoke from the radiator is quite common, and in my experience, it's usually due to cooling system issues, such as a cracked radiator leaking water, or coolant leaking and evaporating into steam when it touches hot components. Alternatively, it could be engine overheating caused by a stuck fan or a clogged radiator, leading to boiling water and smoke. Don't panic in such situations; immediately pull over, turn off the engine, and wait a few minutes for it to cool before opening the hood to check the coolant level. If the level is extremely low, it might be due to loose hose connections or a faulty water pump. Delaying repairs can damage the engine, leading to costly fixes. I recommend keeping a small bottle of coolant handy for emergencies, but in the long run, it's best to get a comprehensive check at a professional shop—safety comes first.
