Why is my coolant reservoir smoking and leaking water

he causes of white exhaust smoke can vary; however, it is common to see white exhaust smoke when first starting a car, especially on cooler days. This is generally steam caused by condensation. As the engine warms up and the condensation dissipates the white exhaust smoke (steam) is no longer seen. If excessive white exhaust smoke is present well after the engine warms up, it is necessary to have the car inspected for possible internal coolant leaks. Indicators of an internal coolant leak include billowing white exhaust smoke accompanied by a sweet odor or a low coolant reservoir level. An internal coolant leak can also contaminate the engine oil giving it a frothy, milky appearance. Even small amounts of coolant entering the combustion chamber will produce white exhaust smoke.
One of the main causes of white exhaust smoke and coolant loss is a cracked or warped cylinder head, a cracked engine block, or head gasket failure caused by overheating. A cracked head may allow coolant to leak into one or more cylinders or into the combustion chamber of the engine. Dirty coolant, a poorly maintained cooling system, a low coolant level, or a non-functioning cooling fan can cause engine overheating. In addition, engine wear can eventually cause the gaskets to lose their capacity to seal properly allowing internal coolant loss. Intake manifold gasket and head gasket failures are two of the most common sources of internal coolant loss caused by engine wear.
Never remove the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot or running as it can cause serious injury; always allow the car to cool down completely first. Checking for a low coolant level in the reservoir is the first step in determining if coolant loss is causing the white exhaust smoke. If the coolant reservoir is at the proper level but excessive white exhaust smoke is present, a cooling system pressure check is required to determine where, if any, coolant leaks are located.

Possible head gasket gone

It is common to see white exhaust smoke when first starting a car, especially on cooler days. This is generally steam caused by condensation. As the engine warms up and the condensation dissipates the white exhaust smoke (steam) is no longer seen. If excessive white exhaust smoke is present well after the engine warms up, it is necessary to have the car inspected for possible internal coolant leaks. Indicators of an internal coolant leak include billowing white exhaust smoke accompanied by a sweet odor or a low coolant reservoir level. An internal coolant leak can also contaminate the engine oil giving it a frothy, milky appearance. Even small amounts of coolant entering the combustion chamber will produce white exhaust smoke. One of the main causes of white exhaust smoke and coolant loss is a cracked or warped cylinder head, a cracked engine block, or head gasket failure caused by overheating. A cracked head may allow coolant to leak into one or more cylinders or into the combustion chamber of the engine. Dirty coolant, a poorly maintained cooling system, a low coolant level, or a non-functioning cooling fan can cause engine overheating. In addition, engine wear can eventually cause the gaskets to lose their capacity to seal properly allowing internal coolant loss. Intake manifold gasket and head gasket failures are two of the most common sources of internal coolant loss caused by engine wear.
Never remove the radiator cap or coolant reservoir cap while the engine is hot or running as it can cause serious injury; always allow the car to cool down completely first. Checking for a low coolant level in the reservoir is the first step in determining if coolant loss is causing the white exhaust smoke. If the coolant reservoir is at the proper level but excessive white exhaust smoke is present, a cooling system pressure check is required to determine where, if any, coolant leaks are located. THESE LEAKS WILL CAUSE SEVERE ENGINE DAMAGE! Have the car inspected immediately.

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Internal coolant leaks can and will cause

Sounds like water pump going bad.

You did not say if it is a 4 cyl or a V6, but generally the power steering pump is belt driven, and the V6 water pump is driven by the timing belt.
The pump in question could be the power steering pump. Or it could be the 4 cyl water pump.
You might be able to take a photo of it and post it here to make sure, or check an auto parts store for a visual.
As for the coolant leak, is the pump smoking, or leaking ?
You can't really see the V6 water pump without removing some parts from the side of the engine.
Do you know where the power steering system is leaking ?
Does the engine run rough after you fill up the radiator ?

oil too low!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! have some change your oil & filter immediately !!! drain radiator & coolant reservoir , refill w/ fresh 50/50 coolant , white smoke is not exactly a good thing ! it could mean coolant is mixing w/ oil , because of a possible leak from a bad gasket either from intake manifold or head gasket !!! water pump would not cause this ! I would bet on a gasket leak given the age of the car . 2000 ! 13 years old, how was it maintained, intake gaskets are cheaply made, head gaskets are made well ! so, my bet, goes to the intake manifold gasket !!!!!!good luck kristle !

When engine completely cools remove coolant from overflow reservoir to the cold mark on the reservoir which is the lowest mark on reservoir. If you continue to loose coolant you may have busted block.

Sounds like you have blown a head gasket. Do not run the engine like this or you will seize it up . anti freeze will freeze the pistons and you will need a new engine. Hope you have not ruined it now.
White smoke is a sign of water in the piston area.

hi.

Check compression. If the leak is internal, then the most common cause is the head gasket. Water (or coolant) leaks internally through the worn head gasket reaching the cylinders where it gets vaporized. Symptoms are coolant fluid level going down, bad performance, loss of compression, overheating, white smoke because of vaporized coolant from exhaust, traces of fuel in coolant reservoir etc.

If head gasket is Ok and there is no overheating, then the leak is external. Check pump, radiator and coolant lines.

Regards.

Ginko.

is the car smoking or is white smoke coming out of the exhasut pipe, could be a small leak in the head gaskets