1997 chevy venture van...smoke from under the hood

[kravven21661]

i have a 1997 chevy venture van...i just bought it about 2 weeks ago....seems to run fine....but now getting lots of smoke from under the hood...doesn't seem to be over heating....kinda smells like antifreeze....and thoughts would be greatly appreciated

[DRW1000]

Where is it coming form? It could be leaking from numerous locations. If there is smoke (or steam if antifreeze) then it most likely is dripping on the exhaust which could be a clue to where the leak is.

[kravven21661]

can't find the leak...the smoke is comming from the back of the motor....van has plenty of power...and it smells like anitfreeze....thought maybe it's leaking from the heathercore

[DRW1000]

Not 100% but I think if the heater core was leaking then it would leak inside the vehicle. Check one of the sticky posts for "lower intake Manifold" or "LIM". I don't know if it applies to 97s (but i think it does). Generally the LIM leak leaks at the sides (front and back of the engine block - or left and right sides of the engine as installed transversely.) I've changed my water pump twice on my 99. It leaked a lot of fluid but it wasn't hot enough to be steam. There are a few coolant hoses to to check as well.

[cjstew4]

Originally Posted by kravven21661

can't find the leak...the smoke is comming from the back of the motor....van has plenty of power...and it smells like anitfreeze....thought maybe it's leaking from the heathercore

I went through all the major leaking coolant hoses on my 97. Yours seems to be coming from one of the "y"-shaped hoses at the back of the engine on the drivers side. You can see it spray a mist which appears "steamy" and is barely detectable and on mine was spewing out a little at the back of the hood 80 miles from home. Replace that "y"-shaped group of all those hoses if it is that since now any of the other ones may leak as well.

If it not leaking in that area, try a 90 degree, small 3-4 in.hose right above where your thermostat is in the middle of the engine on the driver's side.

Lastly, it could be the infamous IMG leak near right above the thermostat. That's where mine failed at 90k miles and after many months letting it leak a little, the head gasket finally failed as well. Do them both though when doing the IMG.

Keep us posted as to what it was. Also, don' t ignore checking the water pump.

[kravven21661]

ok found the leak....was a 2 inch hose right under the gas thottle.....couldn't see it leaking until had wife hit the gas...and it was spraying out.......thanks for all you replys....really appreicated

[lesterl]

My 97 was leaking from LIM Gaskets, $100 PermaDry Plus set later, not loosing coolant anymore.

[kravven21661]

ok same van....now losing coolent from somewhere else....seems to be comming from somewhere in the back along the firewall......gonna have to put it up on ramps to see what the prob is now.......not sure if it is the waterpump or not....everything is so cramped really can't see anything...........any thoughts