Steam sometimes from my '85

[Ruby Fan]

My 85 runs cool as a cucumber, temp usually stays around 175 when I'm runnin down the road. I understand that these machines get hot in stop and go traffic, so does mine. I had 2 instances when steam appeared to be coming from the hood. Once when I was in extremely stop and go traffic for what seemed like 20-30 min and a second time I came down from an extreme mountain descend in 2nd gear(auto). (Mt Washington, NH) Both times temp showed around 225. When I started to get rollin again, had no problem. I checked the overflow, and the level was OK. Do any of you think I have some kind of minor leak or pinhole in a hose? Or did the hot engine vaporize some dense air and caused steam? The stop and go traffic was in the rain, and the mountain descend could have dense air. All other times when temp reaches 225, no problem.Thanks for reading this thru and your help.

 

[tdr1919]

my 86 usually runs at 180 deg. it hits 225 when I am sitting in traffic, at 225 my fan activates and my engine temp goes to around 190.

Steam can be coming from many places including your heater hoses. Have you ever pulled over and looked for the source? let the car idle and sustain the 225 deg. then look under your hood for signs of steam or leakage (same color as your antifreeze) shut the engine off and with a flashlight look at the front of the engine there are hoses that bring coolant to the throttle body, look for signs of leakage.
Tom

 

[dogfish246]

I wouldnt worry right now. If there were no bad smells (antifreeze, oil, tanny fluid, ect) then use your Vette without worry for now... But, be alert and if it happens again try to see what is causing it...

My 2 cents!:cool

 

[Ruby Fan]

You folks probably gave the best solution...I should have pulled over to see what was going on..so far no smell. thanks