#1: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: Imelliot, Location: East Ayrshire, ScotlandPosted: Sun Feb 08, 2015 5:08 pm ---- So i gave the car a good thrashing but not as hard as usual and when i got home i noticed my oil temp in the region of 120 ish and the water bang on 90. Never been this high before so i checked my coolant level and i couldn't see sh*t so i opened it even with it being that warm (i know silly) but it opened and there was no hissing no nothing. there was some bubble at the very top so i topped it up with coolant and it didn't take much at all. At the time i noticed oil all a long where the head gasket is and a small puddle of oil (didn't take any photos ) so i checked the oil and it was a little over the max mark but the engine was warm at this time i noticed steam coming out of the dipstick area so i opened the oil filler cap and steam was pouring out. Any ideas? Plan on taking it to a garage but i don't have much time to do so this week
#2: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: macca1411, Location: Westhoughton, LancashirePosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 3:17 am ---- A little bit of steam from the filler cap can be normal this time of year due to condensation but I have never heard it being noticeable out of the dip stick tube.
It would be worth taking to a garage and asking them to pressure test the cooling system. It sounds as if the head gasket is on it's way out and better to get it done sooner rather than later to avoid causing further damage
#3: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 8:03 am ---- Coolant pressure check.
Coolant sniff test.
Cylinder compression test.
Go from there.
Or just wait to see if it happens again!
#4: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: Edward, Location: In the garagePosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 1:39 pm ---- It's probably just oil vapours.
#5: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 4:59 pm ---- Oil temp of 120 is getting near the limit for a standard oil. What oil are you using; what grade and is it mineral, semi synth or full synth and if synth is it ester based? Is it normal to see 120 on your oil temp gauge or unusual?
120 will definitely boil off any condensation and start to create oil vapour.
#6: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:10 pm ---- Note: an over full sump can cause excess oil churning by the crank and cause excess oil temps. Needs to be quite a bit over filled though.
#7: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:32 pm ---- Might be worth checking cooling system such as blocked radiator air intake, drain and flush system. Could also be start of sticking thermostat or air lock in cooling system. I am surprised that releasing the filler didn't cover the engine (if not you) in very hot water.
#8: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Mon Feb 09, 2015 5:34 pm ---- Me - I would still wait to see if it repeats though that leak needs attention. Do you know where it is leaking from?
#9: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: Imelliot, Location: East Ayrshire, ScotlandPosted: Tue Feb 10, 2015 3:40 am ----
kandlbarrett wrote:
Me - I would still wait to see if it repeats though that leak needs attention. Do you know where it is leaking from?
What leak? and the oil temp usually never goes above 90
#10: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Wed Feb 11, 2015 8:27 am ---- This leak as per your first post:-
Imelliot wrote:
At the time i noticed oil all a long where the head gasket is and a small puddle of oil (didn't take any photos )
#11: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: Imelliot, Location: East Ayrshire, ScotlandPosted: Sun Feb 15, 2015 3:08 pm ----
kandlbarrett wrote:
This leak as per your first post:-
Imelliot wrote:
At the time i noticed oil all a long where the head gasket is and a small puddle of oil (didn't take any photos )
Oh that haha. thats getting seen to this week and its not done it again since!
#12: Re: Steam coming out of oil filler cap Author: kandlbarrett, Location: SwindonPosted: Tue Feb 17, 2015 5:34 pm ---- That leak is along rocker gasket not head gasket.
Any repeat of the problem?
120 is quite hot for oil. My 2.0 diesel VW Passat estate varies between 103 - 106 degrees sat at steady 95 - 100mph on the motorway mile after mile. Cruising at 85mph drops that to 98 - 100.
Never had a petrol with oil temp display so don't know what to expect for a typical performance petrol engine.
NOTE: the latest spec oil has to hold performance at 150 degrees for 100 hours. While your oil got hot if it is a good and modern spec that temp won't have hurt it!
If you are really interested in engine oil, what it does, how it does it and how it is graded do some research (wiki engine oil spec, engine oils specifications explained etc) will give lots of sites with worthwhile reading.
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) so i checked the oil and it was a little over the max mark but the engine was warm at this time i noticed steam coming out of the dipstick area so i opened the oil filler cap and steam was pouring out. Any ideas? Plan on taking it to a garage but i don't have much time to do so this week
