HELP? Smoke coming from motor...???

[BD]

Hey, all.

2002 WRX Wagon. Recently serviced (~2 weeks ago).

I was on a commute, driving quite normally, and noticed a small amount
of smoke puffing out from my hood scoop.

I pulled over, opened the hood, and the area around (what I believe to
be) the upper exhaust cover was putting out a little bit of smoke.
Here's a pic: It was the red/brown stained area under the cover that I
guessed was the source.

http://members.shaw.ca/robertrd/smokesource.jpg

The amount of smoke was very small, and it the smoke stopped
completely when I opened the hood.

I'd not been driving at super-high RPMs.

I let it cool a bit, then continued on (driving very gently, barely
touching the turbo), and the symptom did not repeat.

I called the dealer, and they said to check my fluid levels - cooland
and oil were fine. They asked if the motor had been overheating - but
the main temp gauge was no higher than normal. It hovers at just under
the halfway mark along its whole range.

Later, when I got home, I popped the hood, and the whole area under
the hood felt considerably warmer than normal.

Now: it *is* warm out these days. I thought maybe ambient temperature
might be playing a factor.

Any other obvious things I can factor in here?

What's the best advice? Keep driving normally until the symptom
repeats, or get it in to the shop ASAP regardless?

Thanks for all tips...

BD

 

[Mike]

Thats your turbo. Had service latley ? Maybe a transmission oil change ?
More then likely some got spilled in that area and is burning off. Check to
make sure the dip stick is all the way in as well. you can see the dipstick
handle in your picture, the gold handle way down there behind the turbo .
Thats where they fill the transmission.

 

[BD]

Thats your turbo. Had service latley ? Maybe a transmission oil change ?
More then likely some got spilled in that area and is burning off. Check to
make sure the dip stick is all the way in as well. you can see the dipstick
handle in your picture, the gold handle way down there behind the turbo .
Thats where they fill the transmission.

I did have a recent servicing - trans fluid wasn't part of this one,
but they might well have spilled a bit of oil. I'll monitor, and
discuss with the dealer next week.

Thanks.