Steam coming from their crankcase? I've noticed it before... when the engine is good and hot, I can see steam come out of the dipstick tube (dipstick removed), and sometimes from the oil filler neck (cap removed). I run Mobil 1 5W-30. I never noticed this on any any other car I ever owned. Coolant level looks good so I don't suspect a gasket leak into the engine, but besides (perhaps) condensation, why would steam come from the crankcase?
Posted by RagSS (Member # 1127) on 24 May, 2004 11:35 AM:
My guess would be to check your PCV, ...sounds like a crankcase ventalation issue.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on 25 May, 2004 06:36 AM:
Hopefully that is not steam. Maybe just left over combustion from the cylinder that made it past your piston rings. Your may be due for an oil change.
Posted by Harry P (Member # 533) on 25 May, 2004 07:14 AM:
Oil gets changed every 3k miles. Oil looks fine. At first I thought it was condensation since it is a garage queen and not driven every day. Maybe it's not steam? If it was I would think I would see moisture on the underside of the oil filler cap, but it's always dry.
Has anybody had a bad piston ring issue as 2002Z4CSS suggests? Was this a symptom? I hate taking it to a mechanic for an ambiguous symptom.
Posted by 2002Z4CSS (Member # 1393) on 25 May, 2004 10:06 AM:
quote:Originally posted by Harry P: Oil gets changed every 3k miles. Oil looks fine. At first I thought it was condensation since it is a garage queen and not driven every day. Maybe it's not steam? If it was I would think I would see moisture on the underside of the oil filler cap, but it's always dry.
Has anybody had a bad piston ring issue as 2002Z4CSS suggests? Was this a symptom? I hate taking it to a mechanic for an ambiguous symptom.
If the oil cap did not have a milky looking substance on the back side, probably not any moisture in the oil.
Posted by Mike2001SS (Member # 2088) on 25 May, 2004 06:28 PM:
I would check out the PVC system first thing even if you are getting a small about of blow-by it should pull it out so check there first.
Posted by westell (Member # 2034) on 27 May, 2004 03:58 PM:
My SS has always had a little vapor coming up the dipstick tube, when checking oil at normal operating temperature.
Not sure what to call it, but when exposing a 200 degree envrionment to ambient air w/ high humidity ??? Posted by Harry P (Member # 533) on 01 June, 2004 08:52 AM:
Thanks, westell. That's one vote for the same phenomenon I see. I swear I've seen this since purchasing the car, but never really thought anything of it. I'll check PVC anyway.
So, no one else ever notices this? Next time your car is at normal (+200F) operating temp, pull the dipstick and let me know if you see anything...
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