1. Head Gasket Failure: This is the most common culprit for white smoke and coolant loss. A blown head gasket allows coolant to mix with the combustion gases, resulting in the white smoke. Other symptoms might include:
* Overheating: The engine temperature gauge might climb rapidly.
* Low Coolant Level: You'll notice a significant drop in coolant in the radiator or overflow reservoir.
* Milky Oil: Check your dipstick. Milky or creamy oil indicates coolant in the crankcase.
* Loss of Compression: A compression test can confirm if a head gasket is blown.
2. Cracked Cylinder Head: Similar to a head gasket failure, a crack in the cylinder head allows coolant to leak into the combustion chamber. This often requires more extensive repairs.
3. Cracked Engine Block: Less common, but a crack in the engine block can also lead to coolant mixing with combustion gases. This is usually a very serious and expensive problem.
4. Faulty Coolant System: While less likely to cause *thick* white smoke, a leak elsewhere in the cooling system (radiator, hoses, water pump) can sometimes lead to some white smoke if coolant gets onto hot exhaust components. However, this typically produces less smoke and would be accompanied by other obvious coolant leaks.
What to Do:
1. STOP DRIVING IMMEDIATELY: Continuing to drive with a coolant leak into the combustion chamber can cause severe and irreparable engine damage.
2. Check Coolant Level: Carefully check your coolant level. If it's low, this strongly supports a coolant leak.
3. Check Engine Oil: Examine your dipstick. Milky or frothy oil is a clear sign of coolant contamination.
4. Inspect for External Leaks: Look for visible coolant leaks around the engine, radiator, hoses, and water pump.
5. Professional Diagnosis: This is crucial. Take your Sebring to a qualified mechanic for a proper diagnosis. They can perform a compression test, a leak-down test, and a visual inspection to determine the exact cause of the problem.
Do NOT attempt to fix this yourself unless you have significant automotive repair experience. Head gasket and cylinder head repairs are complex and require specialized tools and knowledge. Improper repair can lead to even more significant engine damage.
The cost of repair will depend on the specific cause. A head gasket replacement can be moderately expensive, while a cracked head or block might require a costly engine rebuild or replacement. Getting it diagnosed promptly will help you understand the extent of the damage and the likely repair cost.
