Steam coming from the front after touch-less car wash - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

dwall · 12-18-2009, 10:45 PM

I've had my 2LT for about 1 month now and both times I've gone through a touch-less car wash I've noticed a lot of steam or vapor coming from the front of the car after the was is done. It seems to last quite a while too. I've run quite a few different cars through this wash, but I have never seen this before. The only thing I can think of is water it hitting the hot radiator and evaporating. Has anyone else noticed this on their Camaro or any other car?

philipdistefano · 12-18-2009, 11:01 PM

Weird...I ran my 2LT through a touchless car wash the other day for the first time and I didn't notice anything strange.

meanmike · 12-18-2009, 11:13 PM

When I had my G8 this use to happen. Other G8 owner's reported the same thing. I dont think it's a big deal.

Dboy23 · 12-18-2009, 11:15 PM

I had the same thing happen to mine, I know the brakes like to smoke a lot, but I had the front end thing too, couldn't figure it out for the life of me.

Rcamaro · 12-19-2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwall

I've had my 2LT for about 1 month now and both times I've gone through a touch-less car wash I've noticed a lot of steam or vapor coming from the front of the car after the was is done. It seems to last quite a while too. I've run quite a few different cars through this wash, but I have never seen this before. The only thing I can think of is water it hitting the hot radiator and evaporating. Has anyone else noticed this on their Camaro or any other car?

hm, could it be steam from the water hitting the radiator?

oh I just read you already mentioned that, ya Ive had this happen to other cars as well, I think your fine. It could be steaming from all the heat you generated from when you drove it hard. lol

skuttduck · 12-19-2009, 06:17 AM

I drove my Camaro down to the Florida in October, it was raining a bit in the process. It was quite filthy under the hood by the time we got down there.

In other words, water gets under the hood through the grill, and actually shoots along the underside of the hood.

It is probably just the water landing on the hot engine parts, and nothing to worry about.
If your car isn't too hot, hose off the engine, and the underside of the hood.

2010SLVRBULIT · 12-19-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skuttduck

I drove my Camaro down to the Florida in October, it was raining a bit in the process. It was quite filthy under the hood by the time we got down there.

In other words, water gets under the hood through the grill, and actually shoots along the underside of the hood.

It is probably just the water landing on the hot engine parts, and nothing to worry about.
If your car isn't too hot, hose off the engine, and the underside of the hood.

..only thing is I'd be concerned about getting a sensor wet leading to an engine light..:(

DEKA · 12-19-2009, 12:19 PM

Same thing on mine.

jonnyb · 12-19-2009, 12:31 PM

I have noticed that some of the newer car washes have started to install undercarriage sprays. They shoot water under the car to clean it as well. The steam could just be the water contacting hot engine parts and exhaust. But it does make one worry about effecting sensors.
I did have an 2002 Avalanche that would get a bad crankshaft position sensor about once every six or eight months. The dealership finally sis something to water proof it I think. Loved the truck because it had the 496 big block and would haul ass. But it did have a lot of little problems like that.

thebighar · 12-19-2009, 01:42 PM

I guess i'm stupid but what is a touchless car wash, how does the car get clean...

2010 SSRS · 12-19-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwall

I've had my 2LT for about 1 month now and both times I've gone through a touch-less car wash I've noticed a lot of steam or vapor coming from the front of the car after the was is done. It seems to last quite a while too. I've run quite a few different cars through this wash, but I have never seen this before. The only thing I can think of is water it hitting the hot radiator and evaporating. Has anyone else noticed this on their Camaro or any other car?

It's just the water on the hot radiator, I take my jeep to the touchless car wash and it does it everytime.

Darsh 007 · 12-19-2009, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebighar

I guess i'm stupid but what is a touchless car wash, how does the car get clean...

It uses pressured jets of soap, water, wax, hot air, etc. No rags or spindled mop-like things to leave little nicks in the paint or knock off loose bits.

ffrcobra_65 · 12-19-2009, 04:37 PM

Careful with touchless car wash. If the water jets hit the crevice just at the right angle and pressure, paint chips. The new Camaros have issues with paint chipping where the rear/front fascias meet the body, get a nice stream of pressurized water in there and you got yourself a new headache.

v6sonoma · 12-19-2009, 05:01 PM

Washed mine today in one before the snow hits us and noticed the same thing. I'm guessing it's just the water spraying into the huge openings on the grill and hitting the radiator. Nothing to worry about. He's now tucked in and sleeping for the winter.

12-18-2009, 10:45 PM	#1
dwall Drives: 1995 Camaro Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 16	Steam coming from the front after touch-less car wash I've had my 2LT for about 1 month now and both times I've gone through a touch-less car wash I've noticed a lot of steam or vapor coming from the front of the car after the was is done. It seems to last quite a while too. I've run quite a few different cars through this wash, but I have never seen this before. The only thing I can think of is water it hitting the hot radiator and evaporating. Has anyone else noticed this on their Camaro or any other car?

12-18-2009, 11:15 PM	#4
Dboy23 2G1FB1EV7A9100028 Drives: 2010 Jeep Wrangler Hemi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 882	I had the same thing happen to mine, I know the brakes like to smoke a lot, but I had the front end thing too, couldn't figure it out for the life of me. __________________ # 28 - Victory Red 1LT/RS (SOLD)

12-19-2009, 12:31 PM	#9
jonnyb Drives: IBM 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Elko, NV Posts: 392	I have noticed that some of the newer car washes have started to install undercarriage sprays. They shoot water under the car to clean it as well. The steam could just be the water contacting hot engine parts and exhaust. But it does make one worry about effecting sensors. I did have an 2002 Avalanche that would get a bad crankshaft position sensor about once every six or eight months. The dealership finally sis something to water proof it I think. Loved the truck because it had the 496 big block and would haul ass. But it did have a lot of little problems like that. __________________ Searching for traction!

12-19-2009, 05:01 PM	#14
v6sonoma Drives: 2010 SS RS Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Providence, RI Posts: 8,108 View My Garage	Washed mine today in one before the snow hits us and noticed the same thing. I'm guessing it's just the water spraying into the huge openings on the grill and hitting the radiator. Nothing to worry about. He's now tucked in and sleeping for the winter. Attached Images __________________ Mods: BBK Intake, BBK LT's and High Flow Cats, Corsa Cat-back exhaust, Hurst short throw shifter, SLP skip-shift eliminator. 7/1/09 Placed order for IOM/IO int/ SS/RS 6M 9/26/09 Took delivery!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Got my Zaino today	lordfriday2	Cosmetic Maintenance: Washing, Waxing, Detailing, Bodywork, Protection	261	05-31-2014 10:00 PM
Transmission output shaft	hiller72	Camaro Issues / Problems \| Warranty Discussions \| TSB and Recalls	267	12-02-2009 08:39 PM
Pedders Suspension Benchmark Track Testing and New Jersey Track Day	Info@PeddersUSA.com	USA - NY / NJ / PA	35	10-26-2009 05:20 PM
Tired of Waiting - Pics of My New Hyundai Genesis Coupe	Inspector 17	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	101	08-26-2009 09:31 PM
09 Mustang GT and 09 Challenger R/T test drives	CamaroSpike23	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	19	04-10-2009 04:27 PM

12-18-2009, 11:01 PM	#2
philipdistefano Remember, Remember... Drives: 2013 Subaru BRZ Limited 6MT Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana Posts: 688	Weird...I ran my 2LT through a touchless car wash the other day for the first time and I didn't notice anything strange.

12-18-2009, 11:13 PM	#3
meanmike Account Suspended Drives: FIRST ON RACE DAY Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,170	When I had my G8 this use to happen. Other G8 owner's reported the same thing. I dont think it's a big deal.

12-19-2009, 06:17 AM	#6
skuttduck Drives: 2010 RJT 2LT Camaro Join Date: May 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 2,529	I drove my Camaro down to the Florida in October, it was raining a bit in the process. It was quite filthy under the hood by the time we got down there. In other words, water gets under the hood through the grill, and actually shoots along the underside of the hood. It is probably just the water landing on the hot engine parts, and nothing to worry about. If your car isn't too hot, hose off the engine, and the underside of the hood.

12-19-2009, 12:19 PM	#8
DEKA Drives: Silver, manual, steel wheels Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: nc Posts: 45 View My Garage	Same thing on mine.

12-19-2009, 01:42 PM	#10
thebighar Drives: 2018 1LT RS V6 Nightfall Grey Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Willow Grove PA Posts: 570	I guess i'm stupid but what is a touchless car wash, how does the car get clean...

12-19-2009, 04:37 PM	#13
ffrcobra_65 Account Suspended Drives: SuperCharged 2SS/RS IOM MN6 Join Date: May 2009 Location: CA Posts: 5,094	Careful with touchless car wash. If the water jets hit the crevice just at the right angle and pressure, paint chips. The new Camaros have issues with paint chipping where the rear/front fascias meet the body, get a nice stream of pressurized water in there and you got yourself a new headache.