Excessive Exhaust Condensation

[Scorpion8]

Yea, I live in a cold area (has been below freezing for weeks) but one thing that I have noticed is that my Explorer 2006 XLT 4.6L seems to have more exhaust condensation in the area than any other vehicle around me at stop signs and lights. I think I have at least one exhaust manifold bolt broken, would that contribute? The engine runs great, everything works (taps head to knock-on-wood) but even long after the engine is warm, the car seems to emit more exhaust vapor cloud (it's not burning oil nor losing coolant) than anyone else, even the bigger trucks.

Thoughts?

 

[BrooklynBay]

The vapor is usually a sign of coolant evaporating but since you said that it's not losing coolant it should be fine. You should fix the broken bolt either way. Did you pressure check the cooling system or use a UV dye with a light?

 

[Scorpion8]

Did you pressure check the cooling system or use a UV dye with a light?

I only did the hand-check behind the exhaust and it has no oily exhaust residue nor slimy coolant residue. Not scientific, but usually a good indicator. Do these engines have a combustion management system that uses excess air, and thus higher volumes of exhaust than a normal combustion system?

 

[BrooklynBay]

Are you referring to a turbo system? That's an eco-boost.

 

[Explorer_PL]

I am on the East Coast, it's been cold here as well and mine also emits lots of cloud and smoke, more than our other cars. Nothing's wrong with mine, no coolant loss, all is perfect.
I got used to it, has been doing that for years.

 

[BruceExploder]

Mine is the same

 

[MotorCityFats13]

water vapor is a natural by product of combustion, this just proves that the 4th generation explorers have the most advanced engine management systems ever produced and ford moved to the 5th gen after the feds forced them to keep it a secret.... on another forum its been speculated that if you placed 5 idling explorers between 06-10 on mars the planet could support life in less than 6 months but that user has now been MIA for over 5 months

 

[BrooklynBay]

Maybe he went to test his theory?

 

[Scorpion8]

I am on the East Coast, it's been cold here as well and mine also emits lots of cloud and smoke, more than our other cars. Nothing's wrong with mine, no coolant loss, all is perfect.
I got used to it, has been doing that for years.

I guess I'll let it go, as it seems to be just the way it is.

 

[Bill MacLeod]

If the engine gets to proper operating temps, then its likely nothing to be concerned with. Do you monitor engine temps? I changed my stat last year as mine would not maintain proper temp in cold conditions.

 

[Scorpion8]

Do you monitor engine temps? I changed my stat last year as mine would not maintain proper temp in cold conditions.

I watch the gauges regliously, and sometimes also via a car app to an ELM327 dongle. The temps stay rock steady, sometimes a lil' low during the weeks of minuses here, but all the rest of the time it comes to the right spot on the temp gauge and sits there like Gibraltar.