Puffs of smoke?
Discussion
Hi there,
Driving home on Friday night I got caught in a massive jam on the M3... and sat in slow / stationary traffic for about an hour. Suffice to say, the Sag ran very very hot. On about five occasions, I got some puffs of smoke coming out of the bonnet slats, lasting about 15 seconds each time, then stopping.
It was not coinciding with the fans kicking in.
I vaguely remember reading a post on here, saying coolant or water overflowing when hot might cause this? Can anyone who's had the same problem elaborate or help further, or point me at where it was previously discussed. I've tried some sensible searches with no luck.
... or should I be more worried?
Thanks
J
Driving home on Friday night I got caught in a massive jam on the M3... and sat in slow / stationary traffic for about an hour. Suffice to say, the Sag ran very very hot. On about five occasions, I got some puffs of smoke coming out of the bonnet slats, lasting about 15 seconds each time, then stopping.
It was not coinciding with the fans kicking in.
I vaguely remember reading a post on here, saying coolant or water overflowing when hot might cause this? Can anyone who's had the same problem elaborate or help further, or point me at where it was previously discussed. I've tried some sensible searches with no luck.
... or should I be more worried?
Thanks
J
JxT said:
Hi there,
Driving home on Friday night I got caught in a massive jam on the M3... and sat in slow / stationary traffic for about an hour. Suffice to say, the Sag ran very very hot. On about five occasions, I got some puffs of smoke coming out of the bonnet slats, lasting about 15 seconds each time, then stopping.
It was not coinciding with the fans kicking in.
I vaguely remember reading a post on here, saying coolant or water overflowing when hot might cause this? Can anyone who's had the same problem elaborate or help further, or point me at where it was previously discussed. I've tried some sensible searches with no luck.
... or should I be more worried?
Thanks
J
Sound like steam not smoke as such, there is a PRV in the blue lid of the expansion tank. If I overfill the Tam when it gets red hot and the water level rises in the swirl pot (I dont have the xpansion tank) it spits it out of the lid. Have a look under the bonnet where the slats are, you should see smilky splash marks close to where the expansion tank is. Driving home on Friday night I got caught in a massive jam on the M3... and sat in slow / stationary traffic for about an hour. Suffice to say, the Sag ran very very hot. On about five occasions, I got some puffs of smoke coming out of the bonnet slats, lasting about 15 seconds each time, then stopping.
It was not coinciding with the fans kicking in.
I vaguely remember reading a post on here, saying coolant or water overflowing when hot might cause this? Can anyone who's had the same problem elaborate or help further, or point me at where it was previously discussed. I've tried some sensible searches with no luck.
... or should I be more worried?
Thanks
J
What Sheppy said......
It'll most likely be the water spitting out of the valve in the water header tank.
It'll find its own level.
The water leaves a mark at the top of the expansion tank if its been coming out, so look closely and see if thats what it is.
Failing that, your car is on fire.
It'll most likely be the water spitting out of the valve in the water header tank.
It'll find its own level.
The water leaves a mark at the top of the expansion tank if its been coming out, so look closely and see if thats what it is.
Failing that, your car is on fire.
If it's not the radiator check the hoses - underbonnet tempaerature in the TIVs can get quite warm to say the least, after about 3 years the rubber becomes porous - they can pop easily...
Will often not show up when warm but touch after car cools down a bit (don't burn yourself), if damp chances are high
If you can change the set to silicone ones which will be more durable
Will often not show up when warm but touch after car cools down a bit (don't burn yourself), if damp chances are high
If you can change the set to silicone ones which will be more durable
rolex said:
I had the same symptoms a couple of years back, turned out to be a pinhole leak in the radiator. Keep your fingers crossed 
Radiator pressure test may diagnose the problem.
And just in case anyone finds/searches for this thread for info at some later date, it turned out to be a crack / hole in the radiator. Radiator pressure test may diagnose the problem.New ally one in!
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