Steam coming out the exhaust

Epicsurf · Post by **Epicsurf** » 15 Oct 2011, 05:52

I just rebuilt my 96 850 T5 with a rebuilt head (from Clearwater Heads), rings, and numerous other parts. When I first started it I noticed the tappets were making some noise but seem to have improved somewhat. I was expecting the engine to be quite a bit quieter though. My main concern is after a short test drive and quick check out to see if there is boost (there was), I noticed that steam was coming out of the exhaust at idle. Drove it back home thinking the worst that somehow I didn't get the head gasket seated properly. The next day I start it and no steam coming but did not go out on a test drive. Could it be that water is leaking through the turbo into the exhaust manifold? I also noticed that the soft rubber intake pipe going from the intercooler to the throttle body is collapsing when I rev the engine quickly! Seems to me that this pipe should be under pressure? Turbo appeared to be working but I didn't push hard since I just honed the cylinders and put in new rings. I plan on pulling all the intake apart to see if I inadvertently left a rag in a pipe or something? Any ideas would be appreciated.

Billc1015 · Post by **Billc1015** » 15 Oct 2011, 07:23

Steam coming out of the exhaust is a normal by product of combustion. As long as it is not excessive then it is not a problem.

If the rubber hose is soft then you may want to replace it.

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Post by **erikv11** » 15 Oct 2011, 09:17

I had the same thing happen with the steam after a head replacement. It turned out I did botch the head gasket job. But the bottom line is: Bill is totally right, some steam is to be expected, and likely you got it right. The key is, watch the cooling system very carefully. Now that you have refilled it, the coolant level should stabilize after a couple drives and the air is burped out. But if the head gasket is leaking coolant then it will continue to drop slowly with every drive, and the tailpipe will *always* drip moisture.

I'd keep driving it under breaking-in conditions, keep an eye on it.

No comment on the pipe.

Epicsurf · Post by **Epicsurf** » 15 Dec 2011, 10:45

After the initial observation of the steam it is fine now. I guess that there was water in the exhaust system that burned off.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 15 Dec 2011, 11:18

I can't tell where you are and thus what your weather conditions might be. A collapsing turbo line is often due to condensation in the intercooler freezing up due to a plugged up weep hole at the bottom of the intercooler itself.

...Lee

Epicsurf · Post by **Epicsurf** » 16 Dec 2011, 12:35

I'm in Florida so the only water that would get in there would be from the 90% humidity