Condensation from exhaust

M

malibudave

Member
I would expect this when the weather is cold prior to the engine warming up, but my car is still emitting loads following a 30 mile journey.... is this normal 4 the 3.0si?

Pretty sure its nothing more sinister than condensation as it is v steam like and doesn't smell of oil

Any thoughts much appreciated.....
 
i have the same and only do short day to day trips - an interesting post i found on another non Z4 forum below

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You need to run the vehicle long enough to let the pipe get hot, which stops the production of condensation. When the exhaust is hotter then the inside surface of your exhaust system, you produce condensation. That causes condensation everytime you start up the vehicle, in cold weather, you produce more. If you run the engine long enough, it will empty the water from the low lying areas, which is why you should not just jump into your vehicle in the winter, drive 1 mile and stop it. That will rust out your exhaust quickly. In the summer, you produce less condensation because the pipe and the exhaust stay at a closer temperature which produces less condensation.
 
Hmm interesting, the reason I had posted the question was that I had just completed a run from Manchester airport to Nantwich (albeit at 11pm and -4degC) and when sitting at the lights in Nantwich I still had steam pouring out! Maybe its that cold that the exhaust pipe just isnt warming up....?
:(
 
Just got a 3.0si at the weekend - noticing the same - i refer to it as money coming out the back.

Did it this am in queue at end of 30m run down mway.

It makes sense to me - there will be water vapour in exhaust fumes, and colder it is, more likely they'll condense enough to be visible.

Other cars are doing it too, and other big engined cars are doing it more than small engined ones, so I'm sure its fine.
 
That's good to hear - mine does the same but wasn't sure if it was my setup, quad t-pipe.

For those who'll know what I mean... I haven't forgotten that I need to take a video clip - but they seem to be smoking relatively evenly, left and right. At startup it seems to favour the left side, which is understandable. Interestingly, at the point where it's about to stop condensating, it the favours the right hand side - I guess the main section gets up to working temp sooner.
 
I was getting worried about this too, I have a 2.5 and there does seem to be a lot of condensation coming from the exhaust, even after a 50 mile run. This has eased my mind a little as I am not the only one experiencing this problem on here.
 
I woul
tintin said:
I was getting worried about this too, I have a 2.5 and there does seem to be a lot of condensation coming from the exhaust, even after a 50 mile run. This has eased my mind a little as I am not the only one experiencing this problem on here.
Click to expand...

Wouldn't even call it a problem myself - its just how it is.
 
PawnSacrifice said:
That's good to hear - mine does the same but wasn't sure if it was my setup, quad t-pipe.

For those who'll know what I mean... I haven't forgotten that I need to take a video clip - but they seem to be smoking relatively evenly, left and right. At startup it seems to favour the left side, which is understandable. Interestingly, at the point where it's about to stop condensating, it the favours the right hand side - I guess the main section gets up to working temp sooner.
Click to expand...
Finally!! :poke:
Been waiting for ages for you to confirm what happens... when's the vid? :)
 
Ah well I'm glad I'm not the only one then! Another problem I had last night was when I performed a "spirited" pull away from some traffic lights :evil:, traction control bascially went on strike and I just sat there as the Polo I was next to gently pulled away....hehe great fun!! Time for some winter tyres me thinks....
 
peddy said:
Finally!! :poke:
Been waiting for ages for you to confirm what happens... when's the vid? :)
Click to expand...

As soon as I can get some time to get it sorted - tried a couple times with the phone, but against a silver car it really didn't come out well at all.
 
I emit condensation from my mouth when it's cold, that doesn't go away after a run either, maybe because it is cold outside, :poke:
 
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