[bobmtb]

Was in horrendous parking lot traffic today for close to an hour and after 30 minutes or so of very slow moving traffic (less than 10 km/hr... mostly stop than go) I noticed steam coming out from the hood!!! :shock: I did wash the car through those no touch auto washers at the gas station, so I don't know if that had to do anything with it, but that was during my lunch time and the traffic was tonight after work... so 5 hours has passed since. It was -10C out today, so I would imagine everything would have evaporated/dried up by then. Wonder what it was... it's too dark now to check. Engine coolant temp was normal and no warning lights came on. It just freaked me out. Anybody have ideas why? Coolant and all liquid levels were normal when I checked a couple of days ago.

 

[budgy]

Some times if you are gonna end up in park or neutral for a long time it is just best to turn the car all the way off, not good to let a car idle for long periods of time.

 

[vintagez]

In this freezing weather sometimes if you wash your car the water freezes in the radiator core area, since radiator did not warm up and evaporate the water from the fins as you were probably making a short trip, when you were stuck in traffic the temperature finally got hot enough and evaporated the water, resulting in steam for a few minutes. It should then have gone away. Normal situation. Hope it helps, but check your radiator overfow tank to be sure.

 

[dinu01]

Should be ok, but check anyway.

The PRO's hood sometimes emits steam if the car is stopped in winter and if the hood was wet.

 

[bobmtb]

Checked all the liquids again today and everything seems normal. It just freaked me out pretty badly as I thought the car was overheating or something. Never ever seen that on my Protege. I'll keep an eye on the liquid levels, but it's just plain weird when you don't expect it.

 

[Slalom]

sure it wasn't exhaust steam cloud blowing under your car and coming up?

sorry had to ask! :twisted:

 

[dinu01]

Maybe it's the water evaporating, the ice melting, etc??? That's what happens on the PRO.

 

[bobmtb]

sure it wasn't exhaust steam cloud blowing under your car and coming up?

sorry had to ask! :twisted:

No... I'm pretty sure it wasn't exhaust... as there was no wind last night... and I can see the exhaust billowing up in the back.

 

[DJ Spencer]

What about from the guy in front?

 

[bobmtb]

What about from the guy in front?

Thought about that too. Followed a few different cars with the same results. Only stopped steaming/smoking when the traffic freed up and noticed no more steam/smoke coming out when I arrived at the destination.

 

[Slalom]

What about from the guy in front?

Thought about that too. Followed a few different cars with the same results. Only stopped steaming/smoking when the traffic freed up and noticed no more steam/smoke coming out when I arrived at the destination.

cool, then id have to go with the snow in the rad area/ice in the engine bay idea that someone tossed out earlier...