weird vapors from under hood on 91 Cavalier

[boat21x]

My 1991 Cavalier (2.2L with non-functioning a/c if it matters) creates some smoke/steam/vapor sometimes - but not all the time - when I am stopped at a light or stopsign. There is quite a lot of it. It comes up from between the engine and the radiator. The (I think) exhaust manifold (the piece bolted on to the engine and then goes down behind the engine from the front of it) is now largely white in color. The problem has been happening for 2 weeks just after my wife had the oil changed. The oil change guy said antifreeze was needed so he added some. Once I noticed the problem I checked the oil and noticed that there is too much oil by about 1/3 inch above the max line on the dipstick. I didn’t think this was a big deal so I ignored it (maybe it is?). Then I drove 350 miles and when I was about to do my return trip I checked the fluids and noticed that the oil was the same and the antifreeze jug was empty completely which was odd since (or should I say if) the oil change guy added some. I topped it up appropriately along with some stop-leak (I assumed it must have leaked out) and figured that was the problem. When I park the car for a long time there is no antifreeze that leaks out.

Does anyone know what the problem is?

[way2old]

Your antifreeze loss is probably a pinhole in thr eadiator or a hose. It needs to be pressure tested to see exactly where the leak is and then a repair can be made.

[DanD]

You may also have the beginnings of a blown head gasket, in other words coolant maybe leaking into the combustion chamber. You will not see an external leak and that could also cause the manifold to turn white form excessive heat. If this is what’s happening it will grow to the point of steam coming out the tail pipe.
You should have this checked and repaired as soon as possible, if it is the head gasket because there’s a good chance of coolant getting into the crankcase. Oil and coolant don’t make for a good lubricant and you may damage the lower end of the engine.
Dan.

[Shadetree]

Just another thought, check to see if the water pump is not leaking out any of the coolant . There is a small hole in the main casting of the pump were the coolant will leak from.
HTH Shadetree