[Dustin02]

Whatever you do, don't eat that yellow snow!!!

 

[MtnMan]

Whatever you do, don't eat that yellow snow!!!

Watch out where the huskies go,
an don't your eat that yellow snow! 👍😎

 

[STallion18]

Let us know about the coolant leak test.

 

[Neo1130]

So, you say it's yellow and by the left rear tire? Have you checked your brake fluid at all? Didn't see if anyone else mentioned that but check there. I believe there are brake lines that go through that area.

 

[badwithcomputer]

Ok so after a few days everything is looking a-ok. A few things to note, I did some research into the yellow snow under the car during winter and there is science that supports it. Link here: https://www theglobeandmail.com/globe-drive/culture/commuting/an-explanation-for-the-yellow-snow-under-your-car/article621975/ (remove the space between the www and the link) Interestingly, this is the first year I've had a paved driveway and used salt on it. Apparently when Salt, Water and Zinc meet it makes yellow droplets as a couple of the other posters have mentioned.. To add to that, even though the Ford coolant bottle says "Yellow" after dipping a white paper towel in the tank and verifying online that it's actually green... The spot in my driveway wasn't green.. lol In this case I think what threw me off was the coolant looks brownish yellow when looking into the coolant tank due to the staining from the old Orange coolant and the fact that the bottle says Yellow right on it.

I'm cautiously optimistic that I panicked a bit, although it does still seem like an excessive amount of smoke in the morning. Last night I started it up and pulled the cap off the coolant bottle to check for bubbles, came back negative there as well. I'll continue driving for the rest of the week and check the level again. I'll keep you all posted.

As a side note, I had a similar tail pipe smoke problem with my wife's 2.0 Jetta that was GDI. The intake valves were very carboned up causing a lot of white'ish brown smoke at start up which cleared up after about a minute. My intake valves have never been cleaned.. I'm wondering if there's a connection there.. As mentioned I'll get to the bottom of it via process of elimination.

 

[badwithcomputer]

So, you say it's yellow and by the left rear tire? Have you checked your brake fluid at all? Didn't see if anyone else mentioned that but check there. I believe there are brake lines that go through that area.

Missed this! Had the Brake fluid flushed at the same time as the coolant. I checked it tonight and it's full, pedal feels good.

 

[Neo1130]

Missed this! Had the Brake fluid flushed at the same time as the coolant. I checked it tonight and it's full, pedal feels good.

No problem! Just my first thought when I hear yellow and rear wheel area. Glad it's not that! I've seen this before on a couple of my vehicles during the winter in my garage... Makes sense that it would be the de-icer from the roads...

 

[Coyote Chaser]

2013 Focus ST3 175,000kms oil changed every 7000kms with syn and Motorcraft filter, Coolant and brake fluid just flushed at 170,000km with Ford fluids, bone stock.

Reminds me of when I coolant flushed my turbo truck and developed a coolant puddle under the bed. The coolant was dripping from my exhaust pipe. Only thing I can figure out is the original owner most of used a coolant sealer, and I washed it out!?

 

[badwithcomputer]

Ok so did an oil change yesterday, and the oil looked completely normal.

Here is the difference in coolant levels over 378kms of driving, same parking spot, roughly same engine temp, system depressurized both times.

Before:

http://imgur.com/j1eJTIu

After:

http://imgur.com/MfczFco

Thoughts?

 

[TurboGT]

It's fine, definitely aren't leaking coolant!

 

[badwithcomputer]

It's fine, definitely aren't leaking coolant!

Here's hoping! I'm borrowing a coolant pressure tester tomorrow so hopefully that's the final nail in the coffin.

 

[badwithcomputer]

Hi guys,

Just an update, all is well. It was the chemical reaction between the exhaust, salt and condensation haha.

 

[Mzdrati]

Glad it was a false alarm, but good for you for being so perceptive. That is interesting, and thanks for following up and posting your findings and resolution to the issue.

 

[MtnMan]

So a little yellow snow is ok sometimes 😉😁