1997 BMW 318i steam/smoke (can't tell) coming from radiator cooling fan!?

Question

I have had my car parked for about two weeks and when I took a short 5 minute drive the car ran fine... however, when i looked under the hood I noticed that the near the cooling fan/radiator there was a lot of steam, looked like smoke but really can't tell. The temperature gauge inside the dash never showed any indication of overheating.

I was wondering if that could have been caused from heavy rains while I was gone and the car just sitting in my driveway. There was a lot of rain when I was on vacation someone told me and that it might have gathered down underneath the radiator.

I drove it this morning again and looked under the hood and there was no steam whatsoever coming from the same spot.

Does anyone have a clue what could have caused this and if I need to get anything replaced from what I've described?

Answer 1

Most likely there was a large collection of water on the engine block and the heating of the engine caused the water to turn into steam. as for the smokey part, the water could have been dirty or gotten some oil mixed in to it. Personally, I would go to an auto shop (preferably a BMW service shop) and have them check the radiator and all that is under the hood. I feel it was most likely water evaporating off the engine block but still, better safe than sorry!

Good Luck!

Answer 2

as long as it doesn't happen again and the temp gauge doesn't indicate a problem then I wouldn't worry about it