We had very heavy rain the other day, and the temperature outside was in the upper 30s. I was driving my car, and the engine was warmed up. At a stoplight, I noticed steam coming from under the hood at the front. When I got to my destination a few minutes later, steam was still coming out. It looked like a fan was blowing it out of the grill. I got out, with the engine still running, and popped the hood. By the time I opened the hood, the steam had stopped (engine still running). It didn't do it again. The same thing happened a couple weeks ago in heavy snow.
Just a few notes...last week, I had the water pump replaced. Coolant levels are normal. I also had the coolant reservoir replaced about a month ago. Hoses were all checked and are in good shape.
Since it doesn't steam all the time, and it has only happened when it's been raining or snowing outside, I'm thinking it could be water hitting something hot under the hood, and I'm seeing the evaporating steam being blown out by the radiator fan.
If it was a major problem with the cooling system, wouldn't it happen all the time? Would it randomly stop steaming with the engine still running?
Just a few notes...last week, I had the water pump replaced. Coolant levels are normal. I also had the coolant reservoir replaced about a month ago. Hoses were all checked and are in good shape.
Since it doesn't steam all the time, and it has only happened when it's been raining or snowing outside, I'm thinking it could be water hitting something hot under the hood, and I'm seeing the evaporating steam being blown out by the radiator fan.
If it was a major problem with the cooling system, wouldn't it happen all the time? Would it randomly stop steaming with the engine still running?
Mar 9, 2009 at 11:17 AM
