Steam coming from under my hood.

[jkelm4]

Hi everyone,

I hope someone has seen this problem and can help.

I have a 2000 Explorer Limited (165K miles, running great).

Lately, after I've been driving for about 45 minutes or so, I see steam (no smell) coming from the right side of my hood whenever I stop.

By the way, this only seems to happen when the outside temperature is at least 70 or so - doesn't happen when it's cool outside.

I've had my cooling system tested and water pressure is fine, water pump and radiator are fine, no loss of coolant. The car is NOT overheating. My mechanic can't find any fluid leaks of any kind.

Anyone have a clue what this is?

Thanks

JKELM4

 

[nitro71]

You're gonna have to try and see where it's coming from. It's either coming from your cooling system or your windshield wipers are spraying on the exhaust manifold! LOL!

 

[jkelm4]

It's not the cooling system ...

Thanks for the reply (I think).

I'm not losing any coolant - it's filled to the top and I had my cooling system checked ... one thing my mechanic said is that it might be condensation from the catalytic converter?

 

[Sams01XplrSprt]

welcome jkelm

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread to the stock 95-01 section.

 

[Dilbert5]

Right hand side, it could possibly by condensate from the air conditioning dripping onto the exhaust. Check the drain tube from the evaporator box.

 

[alohamonte]

Could be the heater control valve dripping onto the exhaust manifold. When moving, the coolant is blown back towards the firewall, but when stopped, drip drip drip onto the manifold. Small drips that you wouldn't notice a difference in the coolant level for a while.

 

[jkelm4]

Thanks Dilbert5!

 

[jkelm4]

Great idea - thanks Aloha!

 

[jkelm4]

Dilbert5 -

I'm not really mechanical but I think you're right about the AC.

After running for about 90 minutes today with the AC on (getting same symptoms), stopping and parking for less than a minute, I finally noticed some leaking (probably water) from a spot that is about 4 inches to the left of the back of my right front wheel. Does that make it more likely to be what you thought?

Thanks for your time and experience.

jkelm4

 

[Dilbert5]

Dilbert5 -

I'm not really mechanical but I think you're right about the AC.

After running for about 90 minutes today with the AC on (getting same symptoms), stopping and parking for less than a minute, I finally noticed some leaking (probably water) from a spot that is about 4 inches to the left of the back of my right front wheel. Does that make it more likely to be what you thought?

Thanks for your time and experience.

jkelm4

So the leaking is on the passenger side, about 4 inches in from the fender? I noticed "aloha" in a previous post, do you live in Hawaii?

That spot, you describe is where the acumulator, evaporator are located. Both cool down to the point that humidity in the air will condense and there will almost be a steady stream comming off them when the humidity is high. When I lived in Hilo we had that issue all the time.
Next time you notice it, stick your finger in it, and look closely at it. If it is condensate, it should be clear water. If it is coolant you should see the anti-freeze.

I would still keep a eye on the coolant level for awhile, even if it is just condensate.

 

[jkelm4]

Thanks again for the reply.

No I don't live in Hawai'i but I love it there! I'm stuck with visiting there every so often.

I've checked my coolant level every week or so and it hasn't dropped one single millimeter in the 4 weeks I added it. So I think it must be water condensing out of the AC, as you suggest.

Now I'll ask my mechanic to see if he can tighten up the area where it's leaking - I probably need to recharge the AC in any event, because I've never done it in the 9 years I've owned it.

Thanks-

 

[Dilbert5]

If it is condensate, it is NOT a leak, there is nothing for the mechanic to fix. Humidity in the air condenses on the cold surfaces, and collects. A a certain point it starts dripping onto the ground, but there is nothing that can be done to fix it.