Steam rising from the bonnet vents
Discussion
Noticed this today when I was driving into work and again on the way back. On the way in I put it down to exhaust fumes being sucked through from the car in front as didn't appear to be happening when I wasn't moving or close behind another car, but on the way home I just spotted it when driving along on my own. Again only when the car was moving forward however.
However, this is the first time I've used the car in the rain (and only because my housemates both had the day off work, normally they drive in as we all work in the same office) so my other thought is it's water evaporating as it hits the radiator.
Coolant levels are the same as when I bought the car (very slightly below the max line), oil level is fine, no gung under the oil filler cap, etc. Reported temps vary between around 82 and 88c once up to temperature, maybe edging up to around 90c when stationary in traffic. Car is an S1 118bhp model.
Is this anything to worry about, or is my assumption correct, and is there anything I should be checking over to make sure everything is ok?
However, this is the first time I've used the car in the rain (and only because my housemates both had the day off work, normally they drive in as we all work in the same office) so my other thought is it's water evaporating as it hits the radiator.
Coolant levels are the same as when I bought the car (very slightly below the max line), oil level is fine, no gung under the oil filler cap, etc. Reported temps vary between around 82 and 88c once up to temperature, maybe edging up to around 90c when stationary in traffic. Car is an S1 118bhp model.
Is this anything to worry about, or is my assumption correct, and is there anything I should be checking over to make sure everything is ok?
Edited by Thorburn on Wednesday 30th April 17:50
Or when the radiator or coolant hoses have leaks!
With engine running and hot, and somewhere there are no drafts, and on a dry day so your sure there is no water in the front section anywhere, let the car sit and idle.
If you see steam rising from it still, you have a problem. If you have a radiator with plastic end tanks, then it could be these which are weeping a bit.
The other place they go is at the bleed screw on the outlet (passenger) side of the coolant hose.
If its your radiator, youre in luck. Ive got one for sale in the classifieds!
With engine running and hot, and somewhere there are no drafts, and on a dry day so your sure there is no water in the front section anywhere, let the car sit and idle.
If you see steam rising from it still, you have a problem. If you have a radiator with plastic end tanks, then it could be these which are weeping a bit.
The other place they go is at the bleed screw on the outlet (passenger) side of the coolant hose.
If its your radiator, youre in luck. Ive got one for sale in the classifieds!
crackthatoff said:
keep your eye on that radiator, mine blew on a dual carrage way and I couldn't see s
t... bloody dangerous !
Mine blew on a single track country lane at 55mph. Blinded and doused in boiling coolant all while going at close to national speed limit! Not the best day of Lotus ownership Ive had! t... bloody dangerous !Heh... this is the #1 thing that gets new Elise owners... every time! 
Myself included... washed new P&J.... take it for a drive, 2 miles down the road and there's a chuffing great column of steam pissing out the front. Quickly figured out for myself that it was innocent, but didn't half put the sts up me for a moment!
It's one of the quirks of the car that I just LOVE. Always funny when it does it badly (when it's well warm and recently washed, in cool air) and people point because they think your car's on fire or about to blow up*
* although I have a VHPD so they're never far from being right about the blowing up bit.
Myself included... washed new P&J.... take it for a drive, 2 miles down the road and there's a chuffing great column of steam pissing out the front. Quickly figured out for myself that it was innocent, but didn't half put the sts up me for a moment! It's one of the quirks of the car that I just LOVE. Always funny when it does it badly (when it's well warm and recently washed, in cool air) and people point because they think your car's on fire or about to blow up*
* although I have a VHPD so they're never far from being right about the blowing up bit.
Edited by Esprit on Friday 2nd May 13:31
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