Scotty, I've got a 2013 Chevy Sonic LT 1.8L w/ 137k mi. Last winter smoke (or steam, I'm not sure which) started coming from under the hood (while idling) after a few minutes of driving in hard rain. Now smoke will come from under the hood anytime I drive (idle) in strong rain, it never overheats or effects the driving. I took it in and they replaced a valve cover gasket, didn't fix it. The weatherproof strips under the hood look to be in fine condition. Is it safe to drive? Do you have any suggestions on what it might be, how to diagnose or fix? Thanks!
Water can be getting in from alot of place
Is it like steam coming out so you cant see in front of you? Or just light steam which can be caused from your bonnet being hot from the engine and hence steam .
Hello,
You really need to have this car looked at by a professional,It's simply not safe to drive a car with smoke coming from under the hood, It may be a simple repair, but it could be exhaust fumes which are seriously bad for your health.
Smoke is grey or black, steam is white. If it only does it when it rains, I vote steam. You engine has some hot parts, like the exhaust system and catalytic converter. There are plastic shields to keep water from splashing on the hot parts and creating steam - one of these may have come loose or fallen off.
