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Model specific boards => Golf mk3 => Topic started by: yabbie on 14 October 2006, 21:26

Title: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 14 October 2006, 21:26

Hello all i was looking for some help with my mk3 16v 2.0 97/98 gti. Every time i start it up it steams from the exhaust i have cleaned the isv which seems to have made it worse. If i leave it to run for about 30 mins it seems to stop. i have changed the coolant as well cause it was brown and really dirty when i got it. is there anything i can do to help this problem ? Im going to change the oil and oil filter tomorro thanks for any info peeps

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: kniterider on 14 October 2006, 22:06

its just probs condensation in the exhaust system really, youll notice it more as the weather gets colder, i wouldnt worry too much, if you have yellow snot mixed in with your oil, then it could be a possible head gasket problem, as could the signs of dirty coolant fluid but that is more than offten a sign of neglect rather than a head problem,  so i wouldnt worry too much mate....

 :cool:

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: neil_1821 on 14 October 2006, 22:26

you not seen cars on the road that do that???

It's only cause the engine is cold and needs to warm the system up, so usually until it is warm take it nice and easy on it cause giving it thrash in this period of time can damage your engine as the oil hasnt had time to heat up and lubricate your engine properly, but the stuff out of your exhaust is just condensation.

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 15 October 2006, 10:58

Ok thanks for the info guys. No coffee creamy stuff in my oil so im sure it not blown. I have a tiny bit in one of the breather pipes the crankcase breather if im right but i think an oil change will be a good idea. Another question is it normal to find oil i the air intake pipe you know the one that goes form the air box to the throttle body ? There is only a bit i there but its all new stuff to me thanks again

How do i post a photo with my post ?

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 15 October 2006, 16:58

Hi all just changed my oil and oil filter it was really dirty also done the spark plugs  too. Anyways got another question about the coolant. Would it be a good sign if every time i revved it hard for the coolant to go down in level ? like it goes down every time i rev it then it will come up abit could my cap be faulty ? The fan kicks in with no problem

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: neil_1821 on 15 October 2006, 17:30

erm, not too sure, depends on how much it goes down by. Thinking about it logically it does make some sense because you rev it and the engine will become warmer therefore needing more coolant so i wouldnt worry about that too much

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 15 October 2006, 18:24

Say if it was on the max it would go down about an inch ?

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: Len on 16 October 2006, 12:46

If it comes back up again when revs go down then thats fine.

The steam comes from condensed air in the exhaust.
If there is still steam when engine is hot and been run for 10/15 mins then you could have another problem.

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 16 October 2006, 19:23

Yes the level does come back up when it revs down just wanted to make sure, dont want to drive it and cause any damage. After 30min or so of idling it stops steaming.

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 16 October 2006, 21:15

This is what my coolant looked like
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k120/yabbiebee/radpic.jpg)
And that was before i even used a radiator flush.these where the spark plugs
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k120/yabbiebee/sparks1.jpg)
And this is a clip of how it runs it just seems to steam loads this was on friday and it was about 18C .Cant wait to give it a drive.
(http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k120/yabbiebee/th_PA130012.jpg) (http://s86.photobucket.com/albums/k120/yabbiebee/?action=view&current=PA130012.flv)
I think at the end of the day the car wasnt looked after that great and i just got to put a bit of care in.

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: vwagain on 17 October 2006, 00:29

   I have seen a few cars over the years that when the head gasket goes(on the water jacket side) the exhaust system fills with water and the exhaust steams like a bugger for a few weeks after until all the water has been burnt/steamed out of the system.  Has the car recently had a head gasket?  The oily/wet looking plugs suggest this TBH. Also the state of the coolant leads me to think the head gasket has been done recently. Also if you mix G11 with G12 coolant it turns that nasty colour of brown and looses its properties!!! They should never be mixed!!!!!!!!!!

Fuly flush the water system out and fill with G12. Id also flush the oil out and fill with quantum synta silver semi synth oil from the dealer or GSF. Not much price differance TBH and you get a nice VAG receipt from the dealers to add to your service history.

Stu

Title: Re: Steaming exhaust
Post by: yabbie on 17 October 2006, 16:02

Not sure if it has had a new head gasket at least its not in my pile of receipts( when you say head gasket do you mean just the cork bit) The spark plugs might look abit wet and oily cause they gave me a hard time so i used abit of wd40 to get them out. G12 Coolant what colour is that ? Cause ive been told the coolant should be blue cheers and thanks for the infor