STEAM FROM V70

Jun 25th, 2002, 20:39

Does anyone have any idea why there is steam coming from my V70 Cross Country's exhaust?

It happens soon after start up, and disappears after about 5 minutes driving or so. It sometimes returns after idling for a while.

In 6000 miles, it hasnt got worse and I've not needed to top up the coolant.

I know it's steam and not smoke because if I put my spectacles near the exaust they steam up!

Rgds

Rick

Peter Milnes · Jun 26th, 2002, 00:44

When burnt in an engine 1 gallon of petrol will produce more than 1 gallon of water. It is part of the chemical reaction which releases power from the fuel. This is why exhaust systems (not Stainless Steel) always rot from the inside unless coated with an oily substance from the word go, (who remembers wet sacking over the end of the exhaust and Redex down the carburettor throat. Clouds of smoke so you had to go down a country lane to do it!).

All the best, Peter.

pettaw · Jun 26th, 2002, 18:03

Would you still recommend that if your car was of a non-cat vintage Peter? Just for info.

Andy

sheerwater · Jun 26th, 2002, 21:58

I remeber the old redex ''how much smoke can you create'' methods!!!
A bit of a con really as the smoke was meant to show you all the nasties in the engine being burnt off. In fact the redex treatment used correctly was to take out the plugs and pour the stuff into the engine to ungum the rings when left overnight. What about the italian decoke. Rev the engine and pour water slowly into the carb. Now that really did shift the coke etc but god knows what else it did to the engine!!!! Back to the original query. Big long exhausts take time to heat up so water condensates inside on start up and soakes into the fibreglass sound deadening. This produces a wonderful environment for rust. Cars which can start a journey which progresses swiftly (some hope these days) have exhausts which last a long time. The school run produces the opposite !!! Note how downpipes are often not included in exhaust kits as they get hot very quickly. Cheers Nigel

Peter Milnes · Jun 26th, 2002, 23:20

I wouldn't recommend it although it seemed to us to work OK. Perhaps it was our youthful enthusiasm for crackpot schemes that convinced us that it was the right thing to do. I would though quite happily recommend the use of "shots" with a non-cat car. These consisted of Redex or some other manufacturer's Upper Cylinder Lubricant ( we used to use pink hydraulic fluid in the RAF) administered at the rate of one shot per gallon of petrol at the filling station.

All the best, Peter.

Jun 25th, 2002, 20:39	#1
Rck481 Guest Location:	STEAM FROM V70 Does anyone have any idea why there is steam coming from my V70 Cross Country's exhaust? It happens soon after start up, and disappears after about 5 minutes driving or so. It sometimes returns after idling for a while. In 6000 miles, it hasnt got worse and I've not needed to top up the coolant. I know it's steam and not smoke because if I put my spectacles near the exaust they steam up! Rgds Rick

Jun 26th, 2002, 00:44	#2
Peter Milnes Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2014 00:01 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tonyrefail	RE: STEAM FROM V70 When burnt in an engine 1 gallon of petrol will produce more than 1 gallon of water. It is part of the chemical reaction which releases power from the fuel. This is why exhaust systems (not Stainless Steel) always rot from the inside unless coated with an oily substance from the word go, (who remembers wet sacking over the end of the exhaust and Redex down the carburettor throat. Clouds of smoke so you had to go down a country lane to do it!). All the best, Peter.

Jun 26th, 2002, 18:03	#3
pettaw Forum Support Team Last Online: Jul 23rd, 2023 15:29 Join Date: Jan 1970 Location: Glasgow, London	RE: STEAM FROM V70 Would you still recommend that if your car was of a non-cat vintage Peter? Just for info. Andy

Jun 26th, 2002, 21:58	#4
sheerwater Master Member Last Online: Feb 24th, 2019 17:59 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Northampton	RE: STEAM FROM V70 I remeber the old redex ''how much smoke can you create'' methods!!! A bit of a con really as the smoke was meant to show you all the nasties in the engine being burnt off. In fact the redex treatment used correctly was to take out the plugs and pour the stuff into the engine to ungum the rings when left overnight. What about the italian decoke. Rev the engine and pour water slowly into the carb. Now that really did shift the coke etc but god knows what else it did to the engine!!!! Back to the original query. Big long exhausts take time to heat up so water condensates inside on start up and soakes into the fibreglass sound deadening. This produces a wonderful environment for rust. Cars which can start a journey which progresses swiftly (some hope these days) have exhausts which last a long time. The school run produces the opposite !!! Note how downpipes are often not included in exhaust kits as they get hot very quickly. Cheers Nigel

Jun 26th, 2002, 23:20	#5
Peter Milnes Premier Member Last Online: Apr 10th, 2014 00:01 Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tonyrefail	RE: STEAM FROM V70 I wouldn't recommend it although it seemed to us to work OK. Perhaps it was our youthful enthusiasm for crackpot schemes that convinced us that it was the right thing to do. I would though quite happily recommend the use of "shots" with a non-cat car. These consisted of Redex or some other manufacturer's Upper Cylinder Lubricant ( we used to use pink hydraulic fluid in the RAF) administered at the rate of one shot per gallon of petrol at the filling station. All the best, Peter.

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