1997 Honda Accord white smoke coming out the hood?

Question

It is a v-6 engine and the smoke is coming out of the very bottom of the back side. I looked under the car and the muffler has some oil on it. Any ideas on what it is and cost to fix

Answer 1

white smoke is steam from water

Answer 2

there are about 10 small coolant hoses that run around and in the back of the engine to route coolant to different components.  the probability is that one of the small hoses are leaking.

the oil is just a 'steam cleaning' of the engine from the area where the coolant hose is leaking.  over time you have probably had a small leak from the valve cover gasket or other seals and the steam from the coolant is washing the oil down.

it typically runs about $600 on the V-6 to change all of the hoses (there are about 15 in total and includes the coolant).  Most honda dealers recommend changing all at once because its a high probability that if one is leaking the rest will start to leak pretty soon.

if you cant afford to do them all, just change the one that is leaking.  if you take the car to a shop have them pressure test the cooling system.  the leaking hose will show up pretty quickly.  they will probably have to put the car on a lift and look from underneath to see it but it should be pretty obvious.

honda sells the individual pre-bent hoses.  in most cases you'll have to use the honda hose as using a generic piece of hose will cause the hose to fold over or kink.

hope that helps