I just recently purchased a 02 WRX...I work for a car dealership and it came in on a trade in it only has 8000 miles all I have done to the car is put my sound system back but twice now I have noticed smoke coming out from the hood scoop...I have brought it back twice to the place that has installed the system but they can't find anything wrong with their wiring or anything that would cause this smoke they are close friends so I trust they are not just brushing me aside they suggest that it may be that leaves get in under the hood and burn on top of the intercooler and the smoke blows right out of the scoop...I was wondering if anyone else has had this problem...I know if I bring it to a Subaru Dealership they are gonna tell me to come back when its happening or give me that run around...Thank you for any help anyone can give me on this

 

Having worked on Subaru's in a garage for a while, i would say its pretty unlikely (well pretty much impossible) that it has anything to do with your stereo system install. there is a whole lot of "stuff" below that intercooler. the idea of leaves or something like that is realistic, but then again how did it get in there. unless you leave your hood open all day.... it could be a wire shorting out and sending smoke up. there is a bundle that goes somewhat under that area, but if any of those shorted out, i think you would know it. as you say taking it to the dealership will prob. be a waste of time, unless things start to happen electrically that shouldn't. hope you get it figured out.
-PJ

 

thanks for the info guys...The last time it did start smoking it was a rainy day so I am wondering if that was it I haven't had the problem since that day also...

 

I have seen this happen. You said that it happened on a rainny day. It is just steam from the rain getting on the intercooler.
After I installed my home made water spray kit on cool mornings after spraying I would see steam off the intercooler come out of the hood scoop.