is my 3.7 40V V8 sick?

[mannyo]

I dont know if this is a problem or not.

My A8 only does short runs on its daily commute, less than 1 mile each way and the engine temperature usually only gets to 60 before I switch off. Only at the weekends does it do longer trips, typically 15 miles or so each way but at speeds of no more than 60mph.

I have noticed, especially lately in the colder weather white smoke (Steam?) coming from the exhaust as the engine warms up. Even at 60 its still puffing out the smoke albeit less than it does before it gets to that point. This is becoming more apparent with the brighter evenings and mornings as I can now see whats going on behind in the rear view mirror. There is no white smoke or blue smoke at all, when you first start the engine.

After a long run, once the car is at 90 on the temp gauge it seems to be ok I think although I am not sure.

Somebody at work said head gasket(s) maybe going after they saw me driving into the car park this morning.

There is no apparent loss of coolant, although its hard to tell as since owning the car I have done less than 800 miles in it, and that may not be enough distance to work out whats going on. Coolant has no oil in it, there is no blue smoke.

If you think this sounds like the head gaskets then I may well end up selling the car whilst its still running, despite throwing 2K at it since buying it as there is no way I could afford to replace these, whilst at the same time trying to recoup some / all of the original purchase price.

Car has MOT until May 1st, and tax till end October, brand new tyres, cambelt change and more.

[47p2]

Nothing to worry about, it's steam from the exhaust.

If it was oil or water you would smell it

[B@fink]

I couldn't say for sure about your 3.7 but my 2.8 steams rather a lot on these colder days and it did it last year too and doesn't use a drop of water. I put it down to a very long exhaust system that at minus whatever the weather is and only 6 miles to get warmed up isn't warm enough to prevent water vapour pooting out. Clean combustion produces water vapour which will condense in the very cold exhaust system. Once the weather warmed up the quite large amounts of clouds stopped. Mine always seems worse after the first mile or so, if i'm stopped at the level crossing it looks like masses of fog swirling in the mirror. I would say keep an eye on coolant and oil to be on the safe side! Lots of steam from a leaking head gasket, I imagine, will empty a coolant bottle very quickly!

[briang9]

I just look on it as doing my bit for Global Warming

[Nollywood]

I'd say it's pretty normal. My S8 steams a fair bit in cold weather. Don't forget, the D2 exhaust system is stainless, so holds moisture droplets longer.

[The_Laird]

Mine have all done the same in cold weather, so I suspect there's not a problem here

[Dezzy]

Just steam, mine steams for ages while she's warming up. As already stated it's a stainless system and it's bloody long.

Manno if you want me to stop in as i'm passing Blandford (ish) and give your 8 a run down to Devon and back just say.

[mannyo]

Sounds like I have nothing to worry about, hopefully. I like the idea of someone else looking at the car, Dezzy I'll come over to you depending where in Devon you are. PM me if you like, I like the idea of someone who knows a lot more about 8's than I do giving it a quick look over.

[Dezzy]

Hmmm, i'm not saying i know a lot about them but always willing have a look / plug into vagcom for a check.

If you're coming to me do it on a Friday and you get a Dezzy breakfast cooked for you (it's the rules)

The other thing of course would be a mini meet if anyone else would like to play. I'll ask.

[47p2]

You can buy kits that test for exhaust gasses in the coolant. they are very reliable and one of the most accurate ways of testing