Am I worrying over nothing?
Discussion
Driving to work this morning I stopped at some traffic lights, as I pulled away there was a small pop/bang from the engine bay and a flurry of steam/smoke came out of the engine vent at the front of the bonnet. The steam/smoke lasted for about 3-5 seconds then dissappeared so I drove off up the hill. When it happened the oil temp was at about 40 degrees.
The only thing different from the daily routine is that I washed the car yesterday and re-filled the water resevoir which over spilled a tiny bit, but I keep her in an underground garage, so there was no water standing on the bodywork which could have got into the engine bay and it wasn't raining.
Now this might be my imagination but driving home tonight she doesn't seem to be as 'roary/throaty' and 'responsive' as she was before the pop/bang,
The only thing different from the daily routine is that I washed the car yesterday and re-filled the water resevoir which over spilled a tiny bit, but I keep her in an underground garage, so there was no water standing on the bodywork which could have got into the engine bay and it wasn't raining.
Now this might be my imagination but driving home tonight she doesn't seem to be as 'roary/throaty' and 'responsive' as she was before the pop/bang,
targarama said:
Do you mean you refilled the screen wash reservior? I hope you didn't fill the radiator expansion reservoir to the brim!
Yeah i mean the plastic screen wash bottle above the fans! I'm not that mechanically stupid Trefor... I think!
targarama said:
I assume some water got into something which then heated up and did the steam thing and burned off.
That's what I thought initially becasue I have noticed LOTS of steam rising of the bonnet when covered in water or when it dribbles into the engine bay.... but it wasn't raining and there was no water on the car, and it also doesn't explain the mild pop/bang.
I've just been out for a long run and got her up to max operating temperatures, and all seems ok, but I'm going to keep an eye on it closely over the next few days.
Sorry mate, but it does not sound good...take it in to someone who can do a proper look-see. You are probably running on less than 6 cylinders. If so, driving it will damage it more. Get it flat-bedded.
I am sorry and genuinely hope it's something minor. But the symptoms you describe do not bode well.
I am sorry and genuinely hope it's something minor. But the symptoms you describe do not bode well.
I got on the phone to my dealer first thing this morning who also consulted with his Workshop foreman. After a number of questions, the prognosis was that she probably misfired back through a valve (thus causing the puff of smoke/steam). As all the temps and pressures are reading correctly, and she seems to be driving correctly, I have been advised that it's nothing to worry about at this stage, and to just keep an eye (and hear) on things.
Hopefully everything will be ok.
Hopefully everything will be ok.
Marki said:
After a number of questions, the prognosis was that she probably misfired back through a valve (thus causing the puff of smoke/steam).
You don't agree? Unfortunately i'm the least mechanically minded as they come, therefore I have to rely on what the dealer tells me (which I hope is a fair assumption). But if you have other ideas please share, as a second opinion is always helpful/welcomed.
>> Edited by kmpowell on Wednesday 4th January 13:17
Marki said:
Not that i dont agree , its just if it fired back through a valve how would that come out through the bonnet ?
It sounds strange to me , but then like you i am not all that inclined
Agree, the steam/smoke would have had to have travelled, which I 'think' it did, due to a few seconds elapsing from the sound of the pop/bang and the steam.smoke appearing.
Catherine, yes I have
kmpowell said:
After a number of questions, the prognosis was that she probably misfired back through a valve (thus causing the puff of smoke/steam).
Had that "sound" a few times usually if I blip the throttle but sometimes it happens at low RPM in cold weather. I think this lead to a crack in the inlet manifold on No1 Cylinder. If the inlet has cracked you could get a puff of Smoke / steam especially if the air was cold.
Happy and relieved for you if that's all it was. I am more concerned that you felt it was down on power...if you feel that it is, then you are not probably not running on all 6 cylinders because there are broken bits inside. Hopefully not, though.
A misfire through a valve? What the feck does that mean? It makes NO sense, as it implies a valve is working in the opposite direction. Hmmm. Sorry, I can't quite wrap my head around that one. Ask how that can happen...did the other valve "stick" for one cycle, causing exhaust crap to stay in the cylinder? Then, when the inlet valve opens to allow air and petrol in, the exhaust spews out...but then, wouldn't petrol also spew out? Is the timing precise enough and not overlapping enough for the duration of the valve's opening that the spark plug does not fire at any point during the "leak" and so there is no ignition of the fuel? Did you smell fuel? I dunno, it could be, but why would it happen? It's certainly not normal.
Second, why would you see it? Where is it coming out of? Cracked inlet like the other user? Odd. I am usually suspicious of explanations that involve multiple failures or a whole chain of things to be going wrong (just for that instant) in order to produce the symptoms. I would advise you to call a couple of other qualified mechanics. Emphasis on qualified.
>> Edited by orgasmicliving!! on Wednesday 4th January 16:57
A misfire through a valve? What the feck does that mean? It makes NO sense, as it implies a valve is working in the opposite direction. Hmmm. Sorry, I can't quite wrap my head around that one. Ask how that can happen...did the other valve "stick" for one cycle, causing exhaust crap to stay in the cylinder? Then, when the inlet valve opens to allow air and petrol in, the exhaust spews out...but then, wouldn't petrol also spew out? Is the timing precise enough and not overlapping enough for the duration of the valve's opening that the spark plug does not fire at any point during the "leak" and so there is no ignition of the fuel? Did you smell fuel? I dunno, it could be, but why would it happen? It's certainly not normal.
Second, why would you see it? Where is it coming out of? Cracked inlet like the other user? Odd. I am usually suspicious of explanations that involve multiple failures or a whole chain of things to be going wrong (just for that instant) in order to produce the symptoms. I would advise you to call a couple of other qualified mechanics. Emphasis on qualified.
>> Edited by orgasmicliving!! on Wednesday 4th January 16:57
kmpowell said:
Just had a call from the dealer who is investigating the pop/bang and doing some warranty work on niggles that needs doing. Apparantly it was a spark plug that went pop, so the engine is perfectly fine! PHEW!!!!!!
Phew indeed! I bet that is a shed load off your mind, glad to hear it was something that simple, should annoy a few of the anti-S6 brigade who were undoubtedly awaiting the outcome, ready to have a dig.
(or is that me being too cynical?)
chris watton said:
Just had a call from the dealer who is investigating the pop/bang and doing some warranty work on niggles that needs doing. Apparantly it was a spark plug that went pop, so the engine is perfectly fine! PHEW!!!!!!
Phew indeed! I bet that is a shed load off your mind, glad to hear it was something that simple, should annoy a few of the anti-S6 brigade who were undoubtedly awaiting the outcome, ready to have a dig.
(or is that me being too cynical?)
It certainly is a weight off! From what you read on PH I have been half expecting the 'dreaded' call. So to be told it was just a spark plug (all the sparks are now being replaced by the dealer), will no doubt upset the doom mongers!
>> Edited by kmpowell on Wednesday 18th January 14:19
If a plug failed unburnt fuel would burn in the cats destroying them....
Get them to check the condition of your cats when they do the plugs, my Sag had an ignition pack failure and it totalled both of the cats, almost totally blocking the exhausts. The difference when driving it was less ready to rev over 6k rpm, quiter and almost no pops and bangs on over run....
Get them to check the condition of your cats when they do the plugs, my Sag had an ignition pack failure and it totalled both of the cats, almost totally blocking the exhausts. The difference when driving it was less ready to rev over 6k rpm, quiter and almost no pops and bangs on over run....
speedyellow said:
If a plug failed unburnt fuel would burn in the cats destroying them....
Get them to check the condition of your cats when they do the plugs, my Sag had an ignition pack failure and it totalled both of the cats, almost totally blocking the exhausts. The difference when driving it was less ready to rev over 6k rpm, quiter and almost no pops and bangs on over run....
Cheers, i've emailed my dealer with what you've said. It would certainly explain the way the car has got quieter over the past week or so! When it was picked up by the trasnporter yesterday, the chap said it sounded as if there could be a blockage, which rings true in this situation!
>> Edited by kmpowell on Wednesday 18th January 16:55
kmpowell said:
So to be told it was just a spark plug (all the sparks are now being replaced by the dealer), will no doubt upset the doom mongers!
ah, you know us so well!
didn't realize that a healthy dose of reality and caution is construed as doom mongering. tell you what mate, ignore everything, go out and thrash your car like the performance supercar it's designed to beat. don't worry about any noises or anything. just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy! cats gone bad? who needs them anyways. plugs? you got 5 more left. don't worry about a thing. just drive it, why are you on here posting like some sad council kid??
>> Edited by orgasmicliving!! on Wednesday 18th January 18:19
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