Steam from exhaust

biojo

Active member
On a 3.0 how long does steam come from your exhaust, I'm only doing 8 mile to work. the engines getting upto temp, but by time im home theres still quite bit of steam. on feeling the exhaust tip/inner its still cold to touch.

On old clio 2.0 exhaust would be untouchable

Just wondered how long other took before full system gets up to temp to stop this
 
Mine does this and if you search it's quite common apparently. Does make you worry at first but I'm happy now.
 
8 miles isn't long for a big old 3.0 lump to get fully warmed up really.

But yes, the steam isn't a problem. Not sure why it does it. Mine's been like it for 3 years and the engine runs sweet.
 
Nothing to worry about. It's just condensation (water sitting somewhere along the exhaust, muffler) being heated by exhaust gases.
 
ye ive read up about it, just not used to it since clio exhaust u couldnt touch once I got home.

How long of a journey do you think it takes to get all system up to temperature?
 
8 mile runs twice a day isn't near enough to get an engine thoroughly hot, especially in winter.

Because you're doing such a short run each way a lot of condensation water will be collecting and building up inside your exhaust due to not going far enough to burn it off. Try going home the "pretty way" every few days or so.

My car's not my daily driver so when I take it out for a run we do at least 30 miles, but mostly it's a lot more so that the engine gets warmed right through. Short runs every day can spell trouble for engines, in extreme cases the oil can absorb condensation moisture as well - that's when you end up with "mayonaise" inside the oil filler. Not nice!
 
Ye, noticed slight gunk on filer cap, took it to specialist round here said that its nothing to worry about and hes said u`ll get that just up the oil changes which i was going to do any way.

then every couple of weeks take it for a decent drive lol, well gives me a reason to waste some fuel i suppose lol
 
yer found loads of threads on it, and the slight gunk build up on cap. When doing short runs.

Just got used to old car getting upto temp quicker and no steam etc lol.
 
The best approach is to monitor your expansion tank. If this goes down significantly, you have a problem. If not, you don't!
 
The engine doesn't need to warm up as such to stop the visible water vapour, but the exhaust does.

The Z4 uses a thick stainless twin pipe, where as most little cars like your Clio will just use thin mild steel exhausts. The latter will warm up much much faster.
 
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