Hi,
on start up today I got some steam coming up from the left hand side of the engine compartment, I opened the bonnet and checked around. It was coming from down infront of the passenger footwell area. After a few minutes it went away, wasn't sure if just condensation. Also a funny smell inside the car like oily/sooty smell.
Went back after 30 mins, car still warm. No trace of smell or steam.
Now the aircon compressor has a noisy bearing and I'll be replacing it as soon as the weather allows. It was picked up at the last service in November. I looked under the car and there has been a leak of some sort onto the exhaust on the right hand side. Not much, not even a puddle on the floor. On the exhaust there are some damp runs than have corroded the surface of the exhaust slightly.
So, I think this may be aircon coolant that leaks out very slowly and then gets burnt off when the engine is started and warmed up. I stretched under and rubbed the marks with a tissue but nothing came off.
If this were oil then it would still be damp and it wouldn't have caused surface rust on the exhaust. I expect its aircon coolant, your words of wisdom are welcome. Here's a pic underneath.
thanks Simon
on start up today I got some steam coming up from the left hand side of the engine compartment, I opened the bonnet and checked around. It was coming from down infront of the passenger footwell area. After a few minutes it went away, wasn't sure if just condensation. Also a funny smell inside the car like oily/sooty smell.
Went back after 30 mins, car still warm. No trace of smell or steam.
Now the aircon compressor has a noisy bearing and I'll be replacing it as soon as the weather allows. It was picked up at the last service in November. I looked under the car and there has been a leak of some sort onto the exhaust on the right hand side. Not much, not even a puddle on the floor. On the exhaust there are some damp runs than have corroded the surface of the exhaust slightly.
So, I think this may be aircon coolant that leaks out very slowly and then gets burnt off when the engine is started and warmed up. I stretched under and rubbed the marks with a tissue but nothing came off.
If this were oil then it would still be damp and it wouldn't have caused surface rust on the exhaust. I expect its aircon coolant, your words of wisdom are welcome. Here's a pic underneath.
thanks Simon