Steam from radiators
Discussion
Had a slight panic over the last week with the cold & wet weather coming in. A few miles after setting off in the mornings the Griff starts to produce steam from the rads.
Now, I'm assuming it is just burning off residual rain/condensation as the rad warms up (car is outside at night). The water gauge has only just come off cold so I doubt it's overheating. After a few more miles it all settles down and there isn't any coolant loss evident. It just looks bloody worrying!
Anyone else experience this or is there cause for wider concern?
Cheers
Now, I'm assuming it is just burning off residual rain/condensation as the rad warms up (car is outside at night). The water gauge has only just come off cold so I doubt it's overheating. After a few more miles it all settles down and there isn't any coolant loss evident. It just looks bloody worrying!
Anyone else experience this or is there cause for wider concern?
Cheers
Don’t worry, they all do that.
The first time it happened to me, I’d only had the car a week, it was raining hard and I stopped for some lights about half a mile from home. I had the blower on to demist when all at the same time the fans came on the steam came up and was drawn into the car, so there I was sitting in a Turkish Bath wondering what the hell had happened to my pride and joy. By this time the lights turned back green and all I could do was listen to the cars honking at me from behind I couldn’t see a thing or find the window switch to let the steam out.
Cheers,
Simon.
The first time it happened to me, I’d only had the car a week, it was raining hard and I stopped for some lights about half a mile from home. I had the blower on to demist when all at the same time the fans came on the steam came up and was drawn into the car, so there I was sitting in a Turkish Bath wondering what the hell had happened to my pride and joy. By this time the lights turned back green and all I could do was listen to the cars honking at me from behind I couldn’t see a thing or find the window switch to let the steam out.
Cheers,
Simon.
The other thing that can happen is, when you wash the car a pool of water collects in the front nose bay area. When you pull up for the first time it can go shooting out the front, much to the amusement of those not in the know who think you're dumping the contents of your radiator on the road.
To recreate the effect run the car and then wash the bonnet. Makes a great substitute for when you run out of fireworks and the kids are getting bored on bonfire night!
To recreate the effect run the car and then wash the bonnet. Makes a great substitute for when you run out of fireworks and the kids are getting bored on bonfire night!
Mine's done this loads of times - the bonnet's just the right shape to shoot any water falling on it straight into the rad. Had the resulting steam promptly deposited on the inside of the windscreen via the cabin vents as well. Interesting design feature!
The best I've seen was at the final round of the British GT at Silverstone a couple of years back. The last 4 laps were red flagged due to a sudden downpour so all the TVR boys/girls made a dash for the carpark. The result was a line of about 100 TVRs with each Griff, in sequence from the front, letting out a column of steam as they warmed up. So they do 'all do that, Sir'.
The best I've seen was at the final round of the British GT at Silverstone a couple of years back. The last 4 laps were red flagged due to a sudden downpour so all the TVR boys/girls made a dash for the carpark. The result was a line of about 100 TVRs with each Griff, in sequence from the front, letting out a column of steam as they warmed up. So they do 'all do that, Sir'.
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