My husband says that it's probably the water splashing up and hitting the radiator but thought I'd post this question in this forum. We have had a very rainy spring here in PA and a couple of times when I have been idling in traffic I have noticed steam coming from the front. It doesn't do it when the weather is dry and did it when my husband was driving in stop and go traffic during a downpour this past Saturday. Wondered if he is right, or if I need to contact the service dept. The engine isn't running hot.

 

There are a lot of things under the bonnet that you don't want to touch your tongue to when the car is at operating temperature.


Normal

 

It is normal. On my MC, the water pours down the hood and into the grill slats right onto the hot radiator.

Steve

 

Yes, it's normal. The first time I noticed the same thing my eye immediately jumped to the T gauge, but .. no problem.

 

Yep, it's completely normal. I sometimes get it when I wash the car. First time it happened, I wondered if I were overheating too.

 

It is normal. It would happen on any car. The reason you dont see it on many cars is that they dont have as many of the hot parts exposed like the mini. For example, when i ride my dirtbike, everytime water hits the engine, steam goes everywhere. Its just hot vehicle + water = steam

 

If you have a Cooper S steam can come pouring out of the snout from the Supercharger when stopped at a stop light I think it's really cool.

 

Ah, yes....the Dragon effect! I've gotten that a few times, where steam erupts from the scoop in the bonnet.....SO COOL!


Clover

 

YES! But have you hooked up a propane flame-thrower in the hood scoop for the ultimate in Dragon effects?

Theo

 

Just remember, when you see the steam coming out of the intercooler intake, you're going to also make more power. Rain is your friend.

 

My first encounter of this steaming was at the dealership as we fired up
the car and the MA did a run down on all the controls. I see steam coming
out from the hood and im sitting there pointing. uh oh...

We popped the hood an quickly noticed that the steam was coming
from the radiator. Car was just recently washed and water was
evaporating. :smile:

When I drive in the rain (rarely) in stop n go traffic i occasionally get steam.

 

I somehow want to make a device like a "wet" NOS system and put spray nozzles in the engine compartment that would spray water on the engine to make it steam.

Mikey

 

rarely drive in the rain? thats horrible, you have to let your car drive year round!!!!