I just replaced the thermostat for my car(I know simple right) and after I finished and allowed it to run for a minute I started to notice smoke coming out of the engine. I had the heat on full blast and was allowing the air to bleed out when I noticed the white almost clear smoke coming from the engine.
Does anyone know what it could be? I've searched and some said it could be spilled coolant that got on the exhaust that is burning off. Could this be it. there was quite a bit of coolant that came out when I took the housing off as well as when I was cleaning the thermostat seating area.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

More than likely it is coolant that is burning off the exhaust. Did you check the thermostat housing to see if it was leaking on to the exhaust?

 

Yeah checked it out..cleaned if off with break cleaner..I let the car warm all the way up and even drove it around the block and it continued. It has decreased to be almost clear, except now it seems to be coming from the front near the radiator. I just got a new Mishimoto radiator so I doubt the radiator is busted.
Also, whenever I rev the engine, when it goes back down to idle I hear a whistle.
Reall wierd

 

The cooling system in a car is pressurized so you have a pressure leak somewhere since you said that you just put in a new mishimoto rad did you "burp" the system bleed then fill and repeat as needed?

 

yeah I bled out all the air bubbles. I'll do a pressure test and check it out. The wierd thing is I did a pressure test before I put the thermostat in and the only leak I had was right at the thermostat. Which was due to a broken bolt and an old thermostat. Fixed both of those so it shouldn't be leaking anywhere else.

 

Anyone else have any idea?/?

 

well wierd enough now the temp guage drops when I drive it a little hard and then goes back to normal as I got back to regular driving? Any ideas what this could be

 

Pressure test it again and take another good look.

 

if you got one of those pumps to pressure test it and it is okay then it is most likely residual coolant. the thing with your temp changing will happen if there is air in the system. the repair manual says:

11.Start the engine and let it warm up until the thermostat
opens.
12.After repeatedly revving the engine up to 3,000 r/min
several times, then stop the engine.
13.Remove the radiator cap after the engine has become cold,
and pour in coolant up to the brim. Reinstall the cap.
CAUTION
Do not overfill the reserve tank.
14.Add coolant to the reserve tank between the "FULL" and
"LOW" mark if necessary.

 

sounds like you got air in the line somewhere

 

yeah I just dropped it off at the shop and had them figure it out...said the smell was from the leak and it was also air in the system..went ahead and fixed that along with 60k service now she's perfect..think I'll just leave the maintenance alone...