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[Ewan]

Hi, When I start my car from cold, the exhaust is clean for the first minute or two, then lots of steam starts to be emitted. This continues even when up to temperature. I have just replaced the head gaskets, and it is not losing coolant, so I've no idea where all this condensate is coming from. The car is running with an 02 sensor fault showing on the EML. Could this be affecting the running in some way to cause the steam?

[hotel21]

If its steam then thats a partial byproduct of good combustion plus, as the exhaust heats through, any condensate in the exhaust will further evaporate.  How many cars have you seen being driven in front of you that have 'water' dripping/running out the tailpipe?

As long as the coolant water level does not drop then I would not be unduly worried at this stage.

[Ewan]

Yes, but I'm talking about embarrassing amounts, much more than previous, so something's not right.

[hotel21]

But are you loosing coolant?  If not then its combustion gasses I would say.

[Entwood]

Yes, but I'm talking about embarrassing amounts, much more than previous, so something's not right.

It's also got a lot colder .. so the "condensate" shows more .... as the warm, wet, exhaust stream hits the cold air it forms tiny water droplets .. just like a kettle does. If the "steam" stops after a 20 minute drive at 50 mph than there are no problems 

[Gaffers]

Idle for an hour or so monitoring temperature.  Does ti stay within range and is it stable, ie does it flicker at all.

If all ok then go for an extended Italian tune-up and see if it is still as bad 

[omegod]

Mine has always steamed like a mobile sauna, seems the crap exhaust was a water trap as the insides had collapsed into a rusty wet mush. Even with a stainless backbox it still steams like a goodun so don't worry if it's not loosing coolant.

[Ewan]

Thanks for your replies, but the critical thing for me is that it's a lot worse than before. I actually drilled tiny holes at the lowest points in the exhaust system to get rid of the residual coolant that I knew must be there from the previous head gasket saga, in case that was the cause, and literally pints of the stuff came out. But it didn't make any difference. The trouble is the car is not on the road at the moment and I'm weighing up the pros and cons of scrapping it or continuing to try to sort out this and other issues.

[sneakypenguin]

I really wouldn't worry about it mate, as has been said, now that the colder weather is here you see most cars doing, you'll certainly notice it more on the v6's. I also think that because it hasn't been run properly (i.e driven) then it hasn't had a good blast, don't worry

[Bionic]

  Its probably just condensation caused by the exhausts on migs running very hot so that when the gasses reach the outsdide air the moisture content turns to steam.
If you are not losing coolant from leaks or loose joints then don't worry, mine emits clouds every time the weather turns cold and I very, very rarely have to top it up.