When I got to the parking garage this morning I noticed steam coming out of my supercharger vent. I opened the bonnet and sure enough steam was rising from the radiator. There was a very slight radiator fluid smell to it, but no fluid underneith the car.

Yesterday I washed the car in the late afternoon so I'm wondering if it was just wet from the day before. There was moisture on the black plastic on top of the radiator, but that could have been from the steam. My commute is only a couple miles, so the engine had just got warmed up. Anyone heard of steam rising from the radiator from a car wash the previous day? It hasn't happened to in my 30 years of car care, but this is the first supercharger I've owned. Nilla is only a few months young with about 2000 miles on her. All gages appeared normal for what it's worth.

 

If I run through rain, on a cold day, mine steams. It looks pretty cool too as it comes out of the scoop in the hood I think what you've got going on is just evaporation from a hot motor....

 

It might be from the intercooler. I've read people with an intercooler sprayer have this happen from the water sprayed on to a hot IC evaporating.

 

Forgot to mention about the smell...I know what smell you're smelling, and when the water was evaporating off my IC, I thought it smelled like a fluid as well. Absolutely nothing to worry about

 

yeah you're not in bad shape. the rain makes my car do that.

 

Before you drive home tonight, look underneath to see if you have any coolant on the ground. You might also want to check your coolant level while the car is cold just to make sure you don't have a leak somewhere...

 

There was a bunch of crap under the car (it is a public garage afterall), but non of it looked like fresh coolant. Popped the bonnet when I got home and everything looked ok, IE, dry and no steam. Crisis averted. But thanks to those who helped me get through the day.

 

Check the heat shield underneath your coolant bottle as well, i replaced my coolant bottle today as it was leaking under pressure, but when cold showed no signs of failure. The only evidence was crystallised glycol on the heat shield

 

Most likely just all the water from washing the car. I've had it happen many times as the excess water that was sprayed inside the radiator and a/c condenser plus the IC is just evaporating (steaming) off. Even if I use an air compresser to blow everything off it still "smokes" as she comes up to operating temps.

 

Why not just rename the car 'Stanley' and let 'er steam?
-s-

 

I'm actually glad to read this thread, since I've noticed the same "steam" issue. I was very worried at first but then I noticed that it only happened on wet rainy days. My assumption was that it was nothing to worry about, but it's nice to get confirmation from people who know more about engines that I do.

Thanks again, NAMers!

 

It seems like its totally normal, the same thing happens to me whenever i take the car the to the touch free car wash or when its raining.

 

Is it really coming from the radiator? The first time I had steam coming form my car was during a track day. It had me worried, but then I realized it was from my windshield fluid cap coming undone and splashing washer fluid around the engine compartment causing steam. I closed it and had it happen again and again. It wasn't until I secured the cap with a zip tie that it stayed shut and the steam issues stopped.

 

I believe the other folks were correct since I see no further symptoms. Just freaky the first time.

 

Don't think of it as a problem, rather an opportunity to cook fish.

 

Steam rice? Do I sense a Motoring Cookbook in the works? All the noodles should be the twisty/curly kind...
-skip-

 

It makes the MINI look a bit dragon-ish when the steam comes out of its nostril!