Is this amount of exhaust steam normal at 6 celsius?

Iamzod · 1 Mar 2017 at 20:36

I bought an ST220 last week from a dealer, paid with credit card for extra protection which may turn out to be a good thing!

The car has been sat on the drive all day however I have been out to it and noticed the coolant was a bit on the low side so I topped it up. This got me thinking straight away.

So I left it sat on the driveway blocked in by another car for about 45 mins to an hour ticking over, the engine was fully warm with the Exhaust tips warm to touch but not hot.

This is the steam I get revving it to 4000 RPM at 6 degrees Celsius ambient temperature tonight, I am not sure what to consider normal as our other cars are diesels and produce no real steam at all apart from on initial start up in a morning.

I'm not sure if the Xenon's on my other Mondeo which I was using for light are making it look denser than it is.

Glanza · 1 Mar 2017 at 20:44

If that's after a hour and everythings upto running temp surely they should be no steam?

Was the coolant clear and no crust on the lid when you topped up?

Iamzod · 1 Mar 2017 at 20:50

Yeah the coolant looked fine, usual clear red colour, the exhaust tip wasn't "hot" as you could quite comfortably grab hold of the tail pipe.

rodenal · 1 Mar 2017 at 21:01

What is it like if you get it out a decent run and up to temperature?

Largeish capacity engines always seem to produce a lot of condensation related white steam but I'd expect it to disappear once the car has been out running for a while. It does look quite a lot but it's hard to tell with it being dark / in the lights of the car behind

Clarkey · 1 Mar 2017 at 21:44

Doesn't look unusual to me at all, idling for 45 minutes is a great way to fill the exhaust system with condensation.

Vita · 1 Mar 2017 at 21:46

Have a drive of it and then check after? Does the steam smell sweet at all?

Firestar_3x · 1 Mar 2017 at 21:47

Yes, my VR6 chucks out loads of condensation on a cold day, no need to worry unless it smells sweet.

Iamzod · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:00

I don't know what a "Sweet" exhaust should smell like, I've not had a petrol engined car for about 7 years, it smells nicer than my other cars which are all diesel though but that means nothing.

I'm waiting for it to cool now so I can go whiff the coolant to see if that smells of exhaust.

The car runs lovely but I put it on a SORN last night and cancelled the insurance so I can't drive it now, I've done about 4-500 miles in it in total.

pepsilol · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:02

Normal, S500 and DB9 have the same.

Dav4 · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:04

Both my ST220's have been smokey and can even still see steam coming out when engine is warm and during a long journey at idle but that looks excessive to me i would definitely get it checked.

Hades · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:13

Firestar_3x said:
Yes, my VR6 chucks out loads of condensation on a cold day, no need to worry unless it smells sweet.

Same

Lmg80 · 1 Mar 2017 at 22:25

I think that was 5k if I'm honest

Kaeo · 2 Mar 2017 at 03:09

Looks totally normal to me...surprised you let it idle for that long.

Iamzod · 2 Mar 2017 at 06:55

Kaeo said:
Looks totally normal to me...surprised you let it idle for that long.

It'll cost me £60 to take it for a run as i'll have to tax it for the whole of March and then day insure it too. So not much choice.

Howard · 2 Mar 2017 at 07:31

Completely normal. Water is a byproduct of the combustion process and when it's cold it condenses more. If/when you actually drive it rather than leave it idling (I know you said you can't right now), and the exhaust system warms up and dries out, it won't produce anywhere near that much. The fact that you said you could easily grab the exhaust pipe shows that it's not warmed through properly.

My ST220 would do the same, as does my current Mondeo albeit not as much. Bigger engines tend to produce more.

theone8181 · 2 Mar 2017 at 07:51

You should see how much comes out the back of my 911 when its been parked up for a weekend :eek:

. My wifes focus st mk 3 produces some but obviously not as much. Ive always figured its due to water (magnified in the 911 due to such a short exhaust system).

mad_allan · 2 Mar 2017 at 08:32

That's normal for the ST mate

AtreuS · 2 Mar 2017 at 09:19

Yup normal... mine is like that in cold weather

Sometimes you pull up at lights and see a huge cloud behind you! if its warm you rarely notice much to be honest.

sovietspybob · 2 Mar 2017 at 09:25

Sat idling my Scooby will steam for ages and ages, i think the 3" exhaust must have a lot of surface area to collect condensation. Only way to know for sure is to take it for a decent hoon and then see if there's any steam.

cuke2u · 2 Mar 2017 at 10:19

Iamzod said:
I bought an ST220 last week from a dealer, paid with credit card for extra protection which may turn out to be a good thing!

The car has been sat on the drive all day however I have been out to it and noticed the coolant was a bit on the low side so I topped it up. This got me thinking straight away.

So I left it sat on the driveway blocked in by another car for about 45 mins to an hour ticking over, the engine was fully warm with the Exhaust tips warm to touch but not hot.

This is the steam I get revving it to 4000 RPM at 6 degrees Celsius ambient temperature tonight, I am not sure what to consider normal as our other cars are diesels and produce no real steam at all apart from on initial start up in a morning.

I'm not sure if the Xenon's on my other Mondeo which I was using for light are making it look denser than it is.

It is fine, due to the humidity..