vapor not smoke from dip stick?

[Blue 8]

Hi all

I seem to have vapor coming out from my dip stick when the dip stick is removed and engine is running?

Ive done a search on this but all i can find is relevant to smoke from the tube which i don't believe this is, but as i caution i have stripped out the flame catch and that is unclogged and clean i have removed one end of the breather pipe and blown down it, with the dip stick removed i can blow oil from the sump up the tube and with the stick in place i can blow to a point then the air will blow back at me all of which i feel is correct for a unblocked breather system?

But like i say i think this is water vapour (think) the head gasket was replaced on this car by a Volvo main dealer about 3 months ago at 137k as the top hose blew causing the engine to over heat , now i don't know if this has any bearing on this ? all is OK with the car now , i have done over 500 miles in it since we`ve had it and all's as it should be IE water is clean oil looks fresh temp goes up as it should and holds rock solid at half way, turn heaters to cold they blow cold turn heater to hot they blow hot , no smoke from tail pipe , although that said when you very first start her up you can see water vapour being expelled from the exhaust for a very short time? and no oil usage that i have noticed since we have had her and it runs like a Swiss watch

Anyone with any ideas, ?

[acshortt5]

Originally Posted by Blue 8

Hi all

I seem to have vapor coming out from my dip stick when the dip stick is removed and engine is running?

Ive done a search on this but all i can find is relevant to smoke from the tube which i don't believe this is, but as i caution i have stripped out the flame catch and that is unclogged and clean i have removed one end of the breather pipe and blown down it, with the dip stick removed i can blow oil from the sump up the tube and with the stick in place i can blow to a point then the air will blow back at me all of which i feel is correct for a unblocked breather system?

But like i say i think this is water vapour (think) the head gasket was replaced on this car by a Volvo main dealer about 3 months ago at 137k as the top hose blew causing the engine to over heat , now i don't know if this has any bearing on this ? all is OK with the car now , i have done over 500 miles in it since we`ve had it and all's as it should be IE water is clean oil looks fresh temp goes up as it should and holds rock solid at half way, turn heaters to cold they blow cold turn heater to hot they blow hot , no smoke from tail pipe , although that said when you very first start her up you can see water vapour being expelled from the exhaust for a very short time? and no oil usage that i have noticed since we have had her and it runs like a Swiss watch

Anyone with any ideas, ?

You do get a bit of condensation in the dipstick tube which sometimes leads to the milky gunk on the dipstick if the car isn't used often or for short trips).

It is probably just burning off a bit of condensation from the tube.

To answer your other question - they normally chuck out a bit of water vapour from the exhaust on startup (again its condensation in the system) nothing to worry about unless it carries on for longer than about 10 minutes which would indicate either head gasket gone, coolant seal in turbo failed or its just a really cold day lol.

[Blue 8]

Originally Posted by acshortt5

You do get a bit of condensation in the dipstick tube which sometimes leads to the milky gunk on the dipstick if the car isn't used often or for short trips).


Yes i though this but my other 850 does not do it at all ?



It is probably just burning off a bit of condensation from the tube.

But it does not stop Ive just driven it over 50 miles to my sisters and its still doing it? surly if it was condensation it the tube it would of evaporated by now? Also no milky gunk on or in the dipstick

To answer your other question - they normally chuck out a bit of water vapour from the exhaust on startup (again its condensation in the system) nothing to worry about unless it carries on for longer than about 10 minutes which would indicate either head gasket gone, coolant seal in turbo failed or its just a really cold day lol.

No it only throws out from the exhaust for a matter of about 1/2 mins at a guess, not long at all

[scr8pdo]

Originally Posted by Blue 8

No it only throws out from the exhaust for a matter of about 1/2 mins at a guess, not long at all

I wouldnt worry about that mate, all my cars do it especially my m5, I thought s**t head gasket but it clears after about 5 min, I think it just condensation what is made when hot gasses (exhaust fumes) contacting cold metal exhaust until it warms up hth Ste

[Blue 8]

Originally Posted by scr8pdo

I wouldnt worry about that mate, all my cars do it especially my m5, I thought s**t head gasket but it clears after about 5 min, I think it just condensation what is made when hot gasses (exhaust fumes) contacting cold metal exhaust until it warms up hth Ste

Hello fella nah its the vapor that's coming out from the dip stick thats worrying me, as this doesn`t stop no matter how long the cars been running for?

[dooby]

Could it be worn piston rings letting some combustion gases into the crank case?

Cheers, Pete