Hissing sound and steam/smoke under hood

2000 CHRYSLER SEBRING
100,400 MILES • 2.5L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
Avatar
CHANRAHAN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have a hissing sound and smoke/steam coming from under my hood. Radiator is full and it is not overheating and I cannot quite figure it out. See the picture below the hissing is coming from under the top radiator hose and the steam/smoke (hard to tell). seems to be coming out near the valve cover gasket.
Image (Click to enlarge)
Attached Media
Jan 30, 2018 at 2:40 PM
Advertisement
Avatar
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 1,853 POSTS
Either you have two problems or just one and the hissing sound is actually coolant leaking out and being sprayed onto a hot exhaust manifold causing both the hissing sound and the smoke/steam.
I suggest you go over everyone of those hose clamps and make sure they are tight. I do not using a screwdriver, try to fit a 6 point socket and ratchet on those hose clamps, I believe most are 5/16", and if using a ratchet and socket you do not have to go that tight but with a screwdriver it always seems they almost never get it tight enough unless you can really get a good grip on it.
Then if it still leaks, perhaps renting, borrowing or purchasing a cooling system tester, pump up the cooling system and see if you can find the leak that way. Usually that is done with the engine cold.
Feb 2, 2018 at 8:50 AM