white smoke when idling at incline...
 

It does not happen all the time, but once in a while I see chunks of white(?) smoke coming from under the car when idling at an incline (stopping at a red light in D). Here's what I've done:

. checked engine oil & coolant - definitely not a HG issue.
. fixed the leak in power steering return hose (replaced).
(thought this would fix the problem)
. there's always been a ATF leaks when parked - I could see drops formation under the torque converter protective cover. Could this be the drain plug ? (by the way, how many are there on the TC?)
. checked the rubber connection hose at the AT modulator valve - it seems dry and tight.

I'm going to change the ATF and check the drain plug(s) on the TC anyway. This is going to be my first time doing it. How do I turn the crank shaft ?
Some mentioned usage of a 27mm socket (bought it) but I tried and failed since I could not see or feel the bolt at all ? is it really deep inside that requires an (2-3in) extension ? I may eventually have to use a large screw driver to poke the TC :(

Any tips are greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Frank.

I forgot to mention that it smells like burned ATF when this happens - thus I was concerntrating on all ATF related lines/parts.

Regards,
Frank.

Most likely the smoke is from AFT dripping on the exhaust -- only hits the pipe when you are on an incline, otherwise drips on the ground.

The typical leak at that location is the front seal on the tranny, requires removal of tranny to replace, so I'd leave it alone until you need to pull it for some other reason unless it gets really bad.

My 280 does the same thing -- have to put some tranny juice in every couple months.

I'd also check for oil leaking out of the valve cover gaskets -- this will burn off the manifolds at times, especially after highway runs, and smells much the same.

Peter

Peter (psfred) hit it on the head!!! It was ATF that traveled down from the exhaust hanger to the exhaust itself and got burned there; especially the incline I mentioned actually had a little off camber to the right (USPS side) where the exhaust is.

Drained and refilled tranny with Valvoline Maxlife ATF with stop leak. Gone from few drops a day to virtually no drops for months now. Just did a fluid swap to Mobil1 synthetic ATF so I'm crossing my fingers hoping the leak does not return ;)

Regards,
Frank.