# Possible oil leak and now noticing white smoke from the hood

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/possible-oil-leak-and-now-noticing-white-smoke-from-the-hood/93806>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** hyundai, sonata\
**Created:** [July 12, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/possible-oil-leak-and-now-noticing-white-smoke-from-the-hood/93806 "2016-07-12T23:24:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Katiekins34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d07c76/32.png) [@Katiekins34](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Katiekins34)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/possible-oil-leak-and-now-noticing-white-smoke-from-the-hood/93806/1 "2016-07-12T23:24:24Z")

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Hi,  
I drive a 2004 Hyundai sonata. Last time i had an oil change they told me there is a small oil leak. I have yet to fix the leak due to lack of funds.  
I drove to work today and a co worker noticed after i got out of the vehicle that there was white smoke coming from the hood. I have checked my oil and my coolant and both seem to be fine. I have not checked the resivour yet( should i? ) My question is do you think the oil leak is what is causing the white smoke along with a slight burning smell? Or possibly another issue? I am having it check this weekend however until then i wondered what i could do to avoid overheating if you think that may be the cause of the smoke as well?  
Thanks for reading my rant lol  
-Katie

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/possible-oil-leak-and-now-noticing-white-smoke-from-the-hood/93806/2 "2016-07-12T23:29:32Z")

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Even a couple of drops of oil on the exhaust system will give white smoke. Have a competent person locate the leak; it could be just a valve cover gasket which is easy to fix.

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**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\
**Post date:** [July 12, 2016, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/possible-oil-leak-and-now-noticing-white-smoke-from-the-hood/93806/3 "2016-07-12T23:29:57Z")

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might be only burn off from the oil leaking onto hot parts . . and yet . . a clear indication that you can’t afford . .NOT to fix it.

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**Author:** ![Katiekins34](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d07c76/32.png) [@Katiekins34](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Katiekins34)\
**Post date:** [July 13, 2016, 1:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/possible-oil-leak-and-now-noticing-white-smoke-from-the-hood/93806/4 "2016-07-13T01:02:43Z")

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Thank you both for your help and ill update soon