alittle smoke?

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

My girlfriend bought a 01 taurus with 99K on it about a month ago and it has ''alittle'' problem.I was driving up to the gas station and let it idle as I went in,2 mins later I looked out and seen some smoke coming from the front of the engine,right above the ford sign.So I ran out and shut off the engine and popped the hood.the smoke seemed to go right away as I want to the front and look under the engine and I coulden't see where it was coming from.the smoke didn't have a powerful sent but it smelt alittle like electrical melting.I have smelt this before a few times but never seen it smoke.I kinda thought it had somthing to do with the humidity and the fact it had just stopped raining because the smoke kinda had a steam feel but i'm not to sure about that.If anybody has any ideas please help out.THANKS

[Willyum]

Certainly you need to give more details about what the smoke looked and smelled like. Leaving a vehicle running unattended is inviting it to be stolen. That would end this trouble with the car wouldn't it?

[azu]

I am going to guess here but I would check to see if the oil filter is on tight. These things work themselves loose and leak onto the exhaust manifold. Working in the auto rental business previously I have seen this problem hundreds of times with the Taurus and Sable models. Second guess would be a radiator leak.

[TOWN2TOWN CAR]

Originally Posted by azu

I am going to guess here but I would check to see if the oil filter is on tight. These things work themselves loose and leak onto the exhaust manifold. Working in the auto rental business previously I have seen this problem hundreds of times with the Taurus and Sable models. Second guess would be a radiator leak.

Good guess,I finally was able get out in the light and I seen that the filter was leaking.either that or the oil pan is.So thanks for you help and also I live in a pretty good neighborhood so I don't really have to worry about theft

[azu]

Originally Posted by TOWN2TOWN CAR

or the oil pan is.

If you look under the filter you will see the oil pan and one might think it's that as the oil collects on that small lip. 99% chance its the oil filter. Just give it a nice snug turn and use some engine degreaser to get the remaining oil underneath washed away. Good luck!

[lectra]

Everytime I've gotten oil on the header during an oil change, and then ran the motor, it has not produced much smoke, but it does have a potent stench. I was going to say a coolant leak, but it appears you guys found it.