Anyone able to suggest SMax engine fault? Engine failure warning with foggy/mist at rear of bonnet?

vanpeebles · 9 May 2018 at 18:19

Crankcase breather would be oily vapours. If the engine was well worn or a ring had gone then you would loads of back pressure and oil mist. When a ring went on my MGB, I used to get out the car looking like Stirling Moss after a race

bainbridge · 9 May 2018 at 20:31

Any fluid loss dripped onto the drive since it's been parked up ?

NeilF · 10 May 2018 at 09:46

bainbridge said:
Any fluid loss dripped onto the drive since it's been parked up ?

I'll top the coolant up today to max and then keep a close eye on it. I'll start driving the care on some short journeys.

Low coolant, a foggy mist, an acrid smell surely all point to something to do with the coolant?

vanpeebles · 10 May 2018 at 09:50

What does the oil look like when you check the level? How about under the oil cap too? All the coolant must be going somewhere, but where? Either outside, into the oil or into the engine itself

NeilF · 10 May 2018 at 11:15

vanpeebles said:
What does the oil look like when you check the level? How about under the oil cap too? All the coolant must be going somewhere, but where? Either outside, into the oil or into the engine itself

The oil looked fine, but I'll recheck.

Plus the garage checked the car after the first time this happened to I'd hope they'd pick up on something obvious like that too.

So my guess is the coolant is beign lost/vented somehow, under some condition, and that accounts for the small amount vapour/fog witnessed each time at the rear of the bonnet infront of the windscreen. And also the acrid smell around the first occurence.