Water vapour? | FerrariChat
Buy

Water vapour?

Discussion in 'Boxers/TR/M' started by JohnMH, Dec 15, 2024.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,818
    Bologna
    #1 JohnMH, Dec 15, 2024
    My 91 TR (Italian spec) was diagnosed with a bad head gasket in the spring with 65,000 km on the odometer. The telltale sign was the chemical test used to detect combustion gasses in the coolant. I had the heads rebuilt in Modena, pressure tested, new guides, seats, seals, etc. installed. I think the cause was overheating when a rad fan fuse melted.

    I have now reinstalled the heads (thanks to Murray G for the excellent head gaskets) and reinstalled the engine. Car runs well on the hoist. Idles, starts, revs perfectly. Good oil pressure, car runs at moderate water temperature. All systems seem ok.

    A remaining mystery is the quantity of water vapour which the engine is producing while running. Even when the coolant gets to 80-90c, the quantity of water vapour coming out of the neck of the oil tank is quite noticeable.

    I ran a head gasket gas test, several times. No detection of any exhaust gasses, which is a relief.

    The oil is obviously new but does not get to 100c+ temperature when running on the hoist. The engine sump plate was off, so there is very little of the previous oil in the car. Dubai in the winter is moderately humid and warm, so absorbing water is a possibility.

    FWIW, my EU spec car has had the secondary air injection system removed and blanking plates installed. Could that make a difference?

    Is a noticeable amount of water vapour normal? I read somewhere that a faulty (plugged) egr valve can cause water condensation buildup in an engine. Does a TR even have an egr valve? The vent hose to the airbox produces a lot of water vapour if the oil tank cap is installed.

    Any thoughts? Is this something not to be too concerned about?

    I have a video of the water vapour but the file is too large to attach.

    I attach a photo of the amount of waxy condensation built up in the oil tank neck.






    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  2. turbo-joe

    turbo-joe F1 Veteran

    Apr 6, 2008
    9,525
    southwest Germany, France ( Alsace ) and Thailand
    Full Name:
    romano schwabel
    #2 turbo-joe, Dec 16, 2024
    upload the video on youtube and post the link here please

    first of all you may give pressure on the cooling system. once about 0,3 bar for 1 day and once with about 1 bar for 1 day and look if the pressure will hold or not. if not I would be afraid that water goes down the sleeves into the oil or the water pump is leaking.

    when you took the cylinder heads off you have seen some damage at the head gaskets? still have them? if so please make photos from both sides and post them here

    but even you drained all the oil and before there has been coolant in this oil there is still some coolant in the oil tank and in the oil system. get the engine oil to more than 100 °C and drive 1 hour, then the rest of water should be out.
     
  3. JohnMH

    JohnMH Formula 3

    Jan 28, 2004
    1,818
    Bologna
    #3 JohnMH, Dec 16, 2024
    Hi, thanks for replying. The head gaskets were sent overseas to use as patterns, I no longer have them.

    I still have your email address and have sent the video to you.

    With the big oil cooler, getting the oil to 100c is difficult.
     

Share This Page