Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: kare on 15 September 2010, 21:38:34

Title: smoke or steam?
Post by: kare on 15 September 2010, 21:38:34
hi wonder if anybody can help me please went out about 8.50 tonight to take the wife to work. only a couple of minutes down the rd stopped at shop on way dropped her off then drove up the road 100yrds or so stopped at traffic lights and while sitting there,there seemed to be alot of steam smoke from exhaust that was it i was looking at everybody elses exhaust but they did"nt seem to have anything.now a bit worried only had car just over a week any advice please. 
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: hoofing it on 15 September 2010, 21:40:17
if you see steam it can only be the head gasket :(.
keep an eye on the water level :y
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 15 September 2010, 21:47:20
Quote
if you see steam it can only be the head gasket :(.
keep an eye on the water level :y

RUBBISH!

It's a big old engine, with massive amounts of piping going to the rear bumper.  Loads of moisture in there.  ALL cars have condensation and therefore Steam while it warms up.  The 'steam' should disappear when the engine is nice and hot, and all the condensation has evaporated.
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Sixstring on 15 September 2010, 21:51:32
Yep! if you look at Broomie's car, theres ALWAYS smoke coming off it.................................

FROM ALL THE TORN UP AUX BELTS!!!!!     hahahahahahaha!


 : : : : :yyyyy
Sorry Ross, could'nt resist it..........................
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 15 September 2010, 21:52:24
Quote
Yep! if you look at Broomie's car, theres ALWAYS smoke coming off it.................................

FROM ALL THE TORN UP AUX BELTS!!!!!     hahahahahahaha!


 : : : : :yyyyy
Sorry Ross, could'nt resist it..........................

It's ok, I'll just piss in your pint.  ;)
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: kare on 15 September 2010, 21:52:38
maybe a bit more info might help omega 2.6 petrol and lpg the trip to my wifes work is about 5 minutes at 30mph not far at all but far enough to switch over to lpg. 
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 15 September 2010, 21:54:56
Quote
maybe a bit more info might help omega 2.6 petrol and lpg the trip to my wifes work is about 5 minutes at 30mph not far at all but far enough to switch over to lpg. 

5 Minutes?  The engine will be at a good running temperature, but moisture in the exhaust system wouldn't have deminished by that point.

Obviously, keep an eye on your coolant level.  If you are losing coolant, you know there are potentially big problems.

I wouldn't worry about it.  My journey to work is about 9-11 minutes, depending on traffic lights, and my dirty V6 still produces steam in the company carpark if its a cold morning.
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: albitz on 15 September 2010, 21:55:11
As suggested, try taking it for a longer run and see if it still chucks out steam. Keep an eye on coolant level also. :y
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: PhilRich on 15 September 2010, 21:59:33
As already said by Broomies Mate^^^.
The Omega does have a good smoking habit  ::) & this can be a bit worrying for the uninitiated owner, especially on cold/damp days. Every other car seems to have a clear exhaust & yours is laying a steam cloud! ;D :y
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: kare on 15 September 2010, 22:02:18
will do did check levels when got car and checked it last night when took sounder off so its been same level for just over a week but my travel to work is only a mile up the road so unless we go out its not doing a lot of miles but our grand daugher and our daughter live in kent so wanted omega for weekend visits. 
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 15 September 2010, 22:03:39
Quote
As already said by Broomies Mate^^^.
The Omega does have a good smoking habit  ::) & this can be a bit worrying for the uninitiated owner, especially on cold/damp days. Every other car seems to have a clear exhaust & yours is laying a steam cloud! ;D :y

I quite like it tbh  ;D

It shows everyone you have a decent engine under the bonnet.  All their little Jap Mobil's are 'hot' within seconds..... genuine old-skool engineering takes time to be perfect, like a fine wine.  Much like making love to a beautiful woman [/Swiss Tony]
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Broomies Mate on 15 September 2010, 22:06:52
Quote
will do did check levels when got car and checked it last night when took sounder off so its been same level for just over a week but my travel to work is only a mile up the road so unless we go out its not doing a lot of miles but our grand daugher and our daughter live in kent so wanted omega for weekend visits. 

There you go.  In the week you have owned it, you havent got it HOT.  After a run, the steam will vanish into thin air (as it were).
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: kare on 15 September 2010, 22:12:12
thanks guys you put my mind at rest (i think)ill take her for a long spin tomorrow to let off steam so to speak i wasnt looking forward to telling the misses the motors needs a fortune spending on it. and ill keep close eye on levels.
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: tidla on 16 September 2010, 00:07:34
A two-way catalytic converter has two simultaneous tasks:

1.Oxidation of carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide: 2CO + O2 [ch8594] 2CO2
2.Oxidation of unburnt hydrocarbons (unburnt and partially-burnt fuel) to carbon dioxide and water: CxH2x+2 + [(3x+1)/2] O2 [ch8594] xCO2 + (x+1) H2O (a combustion reaction)

to quote an on line source..
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: MV62960 on 16 September 2010, 09:08:36
Hello, mine (and I hope everyones) does the same, on damp days it is like a steam engine, puffing out loads when you are sitting at the lights. But you have to remember that is a very good engine in a very underrated car.

I thought mine was faulty, but it never uses a drop of water and the oil is perfect, ignore the oil cap being a bit milky, that is normal too I am told. Regular oil changes are the key to extended life, it is like a good beer for humans.

Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 16 September 2010, 09:35:00
Of course it does.

Bloody big exhaust system which takes ages to get upto temp down its full length.

Efficient burn of a fossil fuel plus catalytic convertors means loads of water molecules.

The results is that the water condenses in the exhaust and comes out as visable water vapour on short runs
Title: Re: smoke or steam?
Post by: Seth on 16 September 2010, 14:53:33
Quote
Of course it does.

Bloody big exhaust system which takes ages to get upto temp down its full length.

Efficient burn of a fossil fuel plus catalytic convertors means loads of water molecules.

The results is that the water condenses in the exhaust and comes out as visable water vapour on short runs
:y :y :y