Steam from under bonnet?

[FunkyMelon]

Hi all,

I noticed this morning in traffic that small amounts of white steam were coming out from under my bonnet at the front by the grill. Coolant and oil appear fine, temperature needle was bang in the middle as usual and whilst driving it was fine.

Has anyone seen or heard of this before? It was colder this morning and it rained lots over the weekend, makes me wonder if it was just some water that had got in somewhere hot that was evaporating off.

Car is a 2006 S40 T5

Many thanks!

[domhart10]

depending on how much steam is coming out I would go with thinking that its just because it has rained a lot recently and might of got on something hot.

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by FunkyMelon

Hi all,

I noticed this morning in traffic that small amounts of white steam were coming out from under my bonnet at the front by the grill. Coolant and oil appear fine, temperature needle was bang in the middle as usual and whilst driving it was fine.

Has anyone seen or heard of this before? It was colder this morning and it rained lots over the weekend, makes me wonder if it was just some water that had got in somewhere hot that was evaporating off.

Car is a 2006 S40 T5

Many thanks!

I think I have noticed this before about 2 years ago when I used to commute (I'll be commuting again very soon so am likely to see it again). I think it's as you say, just trapped water evaporating due to the heat of the engine and as it's colder the water vapour is more noticeable. Did it stop after a while?

[FunkyMelon]

Originally Posted by StatusRed

I think I have noticed this before about 2 years ago when I used to commute (I'll be commuting again very soon so am likely to see it again). I think it's as you say, just trapped water evaporating due to the heat of the engine and as it's colder the water vapour is more noticeable. Did it stop after a while?

I only have a 10 minute commute along the M27 to work and only noticed it when I came off the motorway and was waiting at a roundabout so everything would have been nice and hot I guess.

Will give it a good look over when I'm back from work. Fingers crossed it's just that, as it's in for it's MOT tomorrow!

[StatusRed]

Originally Posted by FunkyMelon

I only have a 10 minute commute along the M27 to work and only noticed it when I came off the motorway and was waiting at a roundabout so everything would have been nice and hot I guess.

Will give it a good look over when I'm back from work. Fingers crossed it's just that, as it's in for it's MOT tomorrow!

I don't think it's anything to worry about, hope the MoT goes well!

[dme123]

I've had this happen before when the weather is wet and cool but not cold, so the AC is on and the condenser at the front is hot or I've been driving hard and the radiator is hot. In those cases it was rain evaporating.

Just to be sure I'd keep a bloody close eye on coolant levels though, and next time try opening the window or turn the vents on to see if you can smell the extremely distinctive tell tale smell of hot engine coolant.

[Welton]

Rainwater on a hot radiator! very common and more noticeable in slow moving traffic.

[FunkyMelon]

Thanks all.

I had a look last night and couldn't see anything noticeable.

MOT at 2pm. Spent many thousands on my last Volvo (complete money pit) so know how much they can cost when they go wrong. Fingers crossed this one is better!

[FunkyMelon]

Passed with flying colours, no advisories - A 'dear diary' moment for me.

It's earned itself a good polish on the weekend!