Steam Coming From Grille

[davey205 7 1 Cars]

only noticed it this morning ( it was cold with a lot of condensation ) so hoping thats all it is car driving fine and never noticed it before please someone tell me they all do this lol

[MerlinGTI 3]

Probably just condensation mate, happens when I leave my car idleing after washing it.

 

Next time it does it, have a poke around under the bonnet for ant 'Jets' of steam comming from somewhere. If its just a general 'mist' comming from the entire rad area its just condensation more than likely.

[davey205 7 1 Cars]

Probably just condensation mate, happens when I leave my car idleing after washing it.

 

Next time it does it, have a poke around under the bonnet for ant 'Jets' of steam comming from somewhere. If its just a general 'mist' comming from the entire rad area its just condensation more than likely.

nah its definitely just condensation just taken her out for a long drive and stretched her legs a bit come back after a long drive nothing i was worried for a minute though but shes running sweet as a nut getting cambelt done tomorrow and waterpump while im about it , beautiful pug lol

Edited March 1, 2009 by davey205

[Henry Yorke 269 3 Cars]

You can get this with a little pinhole in the radiator. Your coolant level will go down over time if this is the case and the steam will only appear when the thermostat is open and the pressure is high. I found this on my 1.6 GTI after fitting a new expansion tank cap. It took me a while to diagnose where the water was going!

[mattmk1 0]

I have the same annoying problem. I drive around 3 miles to uni each day and at the exact half way point is a large junction with traffic lights. The lights are always on red, and when i stop, there is always a mist of steam pour from the grill. Get a fair few funny looks from bemused passers by - its in the town centre!

 

I thought that it was because my Radiator was lowered and angled forward, i thought rain water was somehow collecting on top of the rad and as the rad heated up it was condensing off the top. But now it happens in the dry weather aswell so bemused.

 

Its over too quickly to jump out and pop the bonnet to investigate, and the car uses no coolant whatsoever.

 

Guess ill neveer know.

[AndyJ 1]

Mine does this too after its rained or been dewy, always fun at traffic lights sitting there steaming away

[davey205 7 1 Cars]

Mine does this too after its rained or been dewy, always fun at traffic lights sitting there steaming away

i honestly think its a weather thing although thinking about it the oil pressure gauge was very high this morning so that worries me like you say Henry ill have to keep a close eye on coolant levels. having said that even after a good thrashing it wont do it unless its dewy / just been washed etc, guess ill just have to keep an eye on it its a bit worrying though, my last laser used to do exactly the same.

Edited March 1, 2009 by davey205

[GLPoomobile 958]

It's not exactly unusual for the rads to start losing fins with age, as they corrode, and this can lead to pin holes as Henry said. This of course will cause steam. I had this on a previous GTI.

 

In this damp weather in can be difficult to tell sometimes, but get it warmed up and somewhere sheltered (any breeze will make it difficult to see the steam) then watch it with the engine running and you should eventually find where the steam is coming from. Bit more difficult if the hole is on the front of the rad though!

Edited March 1, 2009 by GLPoomobile