Leak from a hose - not sure if coolant 100%
 

My car: 2000 Saturn LS2 V6, 116k Miles, all regular maintenance done and recent timing belt/water pump replacement done as well.

This might seem like an innocuous problem to some, but I've got a leak on a hose leading up to what looks like the firewall. I first chalked it up to condensation since it looked kind of watery, and clear at the beginning, and this morning when I drove, I had a white cloud of smoke come out of the engine (no overheating) and a warning light saying coolant is getting low. Pull over, let engine cool off and see leak going on beneath the car at this specific hose location.


https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8178/...6b6c2bee_b.jpg


Close up photo here:

https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8037/...d6693d63_b.jpg

Is this an AC hose??

I'm not familiar with the V-6 set ups at all, but I think that may be a heater hose. Someone who knows will eventually come along and let you know. If you're getting white smoke out of the exhaust, then you may have a blown head gasket. Check your oil for a milkshake look and also check your over flow jug from the radiator. If you see the milkshake, don't drive it any more until you get it fixed.

Seriously good picture there...

Clarification question --> Was the white smoke coming out from the hood area, or out of the exhaust tailpipe?

It was coming out from the engine bay, not from the tailpipe. I checked the oil, it looks fine and normal.

And as for the seriously good picture comment, I'm actually a photographer - it's what I do for a living, lol :). Although, this is the first time I've photographed an engine, and it was just a hack job, nothing special.

Sure looks like a heater hose to me ........ and when coolant burns it smokes white.

Rj is right there, looks like the connection/fitting going to the heater core inside the car

Glad you clarified that the smoke was from under the hood and not the tail pipe. I'm pretty sure it's pissing antifreeze onto your exhaust or the engine itself. You'll need to find a GM dealership that's still Saturn friendly and get OEM hoses. I wouldn't trust the after market crap that's out there for that. Oh, and I'd recommend you replace them both while you're at it. Peace of mind is something you can't put a price on.

I've got a Saturn-friendly GM dealership in Mobile, AL if it'll help ...

That sounds great - but I think I've found a part supplier for the replacement hose - only thing is, I for the life of me can't figure out how to get that damn clip off of the heater core part - it's like it's a push/pull style of clip on, but it's not coming off.