TurboSalsa

Lately I've been noticing a burning smell when getting out of my truck. I thought it was one of the relays that I had replaced this week but it came back. This morning, I observed steam or smoke coming out of the front passenger wheel well, as well as the vents on the hood. It was faint and I only saw it because of the way I was parked facing the sun, but it was there.

I popped the hood and didn't see anything obvious, but then there was another puff. I couldn't get it on video but it appears to be coming from the passenger side of the engine close to the firewall. Because of the intermittent nature, I'm wondering if it's oil/coolant/whatever leaking and then dripping on to a hot surface and then vaporizing.

Anyone seen this before?

dsg2003mach1

wouldnt explain the burning smell but maybe the AC drain on the firewall dripping on the exhaust?

Id also take a good look at the turbo - is oil or coolant leaking onto it/from it? turn the wheel hard left and you should be able to push the wheel well liner back some to get a top side view of the turbo

TurboSalsa

I've heard the AC drain can do this, but yeah, passenger turbo oil line was my next suspicion. I just got it back from the dealer after that relay went out so hopefully this is minor.

This must've just started because I looked for a few minutes and didn't see any obvious signs of a leak but I was in a hurry to get to work.

jdunk54nl

There is a thing that I can't remember right now what it is, I think vacuum pump or something related to vacuum, on the back passenger side of the engine near the firewall. It drips oil onto hot things and could be the cause. It is known to leak.

Wayneman

check your vacuum pump for leaks dripping onto your exhaust manifold

TurboSalsa

Thanks, googling vacuum pump leaks I've found others smelling the same smell and seeing smoke come from the same spot in the engine.

Gonna take it to a mechanic and see if he can figure it out.

jchargu3

@TurboSalsa
Check vacuum pump on the rear of passenger head. Also check valve cover. Passenger one commonly leaks, and in some cases warps...

Check your turbo too (with hte truck cool so you dont burn yourself) crouch down at your front hweel and lift the rubber flap thats at the top of your upper control arm. Turbo is slightly to the left, check between the two snail halves and you'll see a hard line running into the turbo center section. If that is wet and slippery but not oily, you likely have a coolant leak from those jiffy fittings. If it's oily, it's likely running down the coolant tube from the passenger head and pooling there.

ewest

I too am experiencing this issue. I get the smell and can see "smoke" from the pass side turbo area as if something is dripping on something hot. Can it be valve cover or turbo oil line. I see a hard line in that area that has oil on it but could that be blow off from the valve cover gasket leak. It does not mark its territory on my driveway. So no leaks when truck isn't running?

jdunk54nl

probably your vacuum pump on the passenger side rear of engine. They are known to start leaking some oil after some time. Fairly simple and cheap fix.

you should be able to lay under the truck and shine a light up there to see it.

TurboSalsa

It turned out that both valve cover gaskets were leaking, so hopefully that takes care of it.