Smoke (or steam) or steam coming out of Right grille after driving

[$iriu$black]

Does anyone have this same thing immediately after parking your car. Very thin smoke or steam coming out of that right kidney. My car has always had this, probably from day1. Mind you I got my car at 11K mi and it's now at about 77K mi. I've always seen this when it's like foggy out or the weather is perfect that you can see your breath, on rainy days or during cold weather season.

If it helps, it smells "engine-y" if you know what I mean. Could it be related to a seeping OFHG? Just checked mine and it does look like that pic on this thread:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...ight=ofhg+leak

I'll have to clean it first and watch out. If anything, I don't lose/burn oil and seems like the engine bay Area looks clean for the most part.

Thank you.

[chris_flies]

I'd say oil leak, loose oil cap, or loose expansion tank cap. OFHG is likely, too. Mine's got a seepage now. Ughh...

[desertman123]

The valve cover can leak onto the headers

[$iriu$black]

So I recently thought about this unsolved issue with my car. No visible droplets of oil at the bottom, but the steam is definitely visible on foggy days. I called my local BMW dealer and said upfront that if this is a VCG leak, will it be covered by the SULEV warranty and was told that it will be. I will update once I get the diagnosis done.

Is it worth the ~165 diag fee? Not for me but I figured, instead of paying for the service on my own, might as well let them take care of it.

Should probably do the OFH gasket and see if that mitigates the issue.

[CivicDuty]

Ummm.... I think you might be mislead. Mine does the same thing and only when the rad gets wet from rain, mist, fog or a car wash. My Volvo C30 T5 also did this. I really think it's just water evaporating from contact with the hot radiator fins!