I have a stock 2001 XJ that smokes like crazy from under the hood when I'm going up a steep climb. When it starts smoking I can see about a 20 psi spike in oil pressure. The smoke doesn't smell sweet like antifreeze but it isn't a very dark color either. Anyone know what would cause this? I have searched with not much luck so I figured I would ask.

 

Open the hood, start the engine & put it in gear. Stand on the brake, mash on the gas, and see where the smoke is coming from.

 

I tried doing what you said but I could not replicate it. It does not do it all the time but it's getting more frequent. I tried all sorts of stuff to try and get it to smoke again but it wouldn't do it.

 

Are you having to add coolant in your coolant reservoir?

Smoke depletes fluids; you really need to isolate this ASAP.

 

now when you say you see a 20 psi spike is it possible you are just seeing that because you are increasing the rpms to climb the hill. are any fluid levels low... power steering coolant oil trans fluid. brake fluid even. does it occur when you turn the wheel. i know before i fixed it my high side power steering line had a slight hole in it and when i would go to full lock in either direction it would squirt psf on the exhaust....would make a hell of a smoke show and be pretty embarrassing if there was anyone around. possibly have too much oil in the car? it's gotta be coming from somewhere

 

You know I never thought about it but it does only seem to happen when I turn really hard going uphill. I think you may be on to something XJRed because it smokes like crazy when it does it looks like I lit a smoke bomb and put it under my hood but it stops pretty quickly. It doesn't smell or look like burning oil and it doesnt smell like antifreeze either. I have noticed having the power steering acting up and having to add fluid more often. I'm going to check it out tomorrow. Thank you for all the replies.

 

Sounds like a pin hole leak on your hi-pressure power steering line. Mine did the same thing as yours. You will need a 18mm wrench to replace the line.

 

Burning PS fluid smells like burning tupperware. Kinda thick and plastic-smelling.
Pinhole in the pressure side makes sense.