Calling out DU mechanics and car people!

[JanMichael]

The problem (or not):

A 1998 Subaru Outback...has a hood scoop. When the weather gets hot and humid...a slight amount of steam seeps from the hood scoop after the car is turned off.

No leaks, no over-heating.

Is this normal?

[seemunkee]

1. Steam or smoke? Have you looked to see what the source is?

I get that on my Mini in the rain. It gets on the supercharger cooler and steams up.
Check to make sure it is not from an oil leak.

[JanMichael]

2. It's definetly steam

Subarus smell like hell when they leak oil, btw! ;) I am WELL aquainted with that good ol oil smell!

Stephanie

[seemunkee]

4. Does it have a turbo or supercharger?

[JanMichael]

5. Nope....just four cylinders

Wish it did though!

[seemunkee]

7. Probably just condensation.

Maybe drippage from the AC.

[usedtobesick]

3. no problem, should just be steam from condensation

built up while you are running.

[JanMichael]

6. That's what I am thinking too

Worse when the A/C has been running

[Misunderestimator]

8. It's against the rules to call anyone out.

:rofl:

:D :hi:

[JanMichael]

9. How did I know you would be on this thread????

I KNEW!

How are you guys doing out there on the Left Coast?

[Misunderestimator]

17. Ran out just after I posted...

We're doing great! When are you coming to visit?

[sendero]

10. Is this scoop..

... functional? I mean does the engine get its air from there?

[JanMichael]

11. No, it's just ornamental

Why, what are you thinking?

[sendero]

12. This is probably...

... water from the A/C condensate being blown around by those infernal electric fans that keep running after you kill the engine :)

[JanMichael]

13. Thank you!

Have you seen that on other cars?

[sendero]

14. Not really...

... but it sounds like a good theory :)

Seriously - it can only be one of 3 things - 1) steam 2) smoke, i.e. from burning oil or 3) gas vapor.

If it were oil or gas, you'd smell it unless you are sans nostrils. So I tend to believe it really is steam.

If it were coming from the cooling system - it would definitely smell like anti-freeze and again, you can't miss that smell.

That leaves plain old water, and the only plain old water involved is the A/C condensate.

I'm 99.99% sure you don't need to worry. :)

[JanMichael]

15. But, why is my car the only one in the entire state of NC

that seems to be doing that???

Aaaauuuugghhhhhhhh

Thank you for your answer though; I know you are probably right...and there is NO smell....

When you drive a Subaru you get to know what smells are....oil, transmission fluid, etc....

I can now recognized spots on the driveway too! ;)

[sendero]

16. Oh I doubt..

... your car is the only one doing it. I'll really stick my neck out and bet that it's done it before but you are just now noticing it :)

If you are still bugged - open the hood and find the drain for your A/C. Run the A/C while idling the car for a while and see where the puddle forms and figure out where it is draining from.

Then use you imagination to figure how those fans might blow, or the water just land, on something hot (engine block, exhaust) and there's your steam :)

[JanMichael]

18. Kick

just in case anyone has any other ideas---

:)

[JanMichael]

19. Kick again because it's driving me loopy.

:kick:

[KG]

20. oh, man. you are so screwed.