engine giving off steam

[JMikk]

Hey everyone, i have a 1998 ram 1500 5.2. The engine is very high miles but runs great, I popped the hood to install a new belt after getting home from the post office to get the package of parts i ordered. There was some steam or what looked like steam coming from around the area of the PCV valve and the coolant overflow tank had bubbles in it, not like boiling bubbles but large bubbles that formed and immediately popped. Does this mean something?

 

[Jimmy68]

Head gasket or cracked head is my guess. Hope I'm wrong.

 

[1SilverBullet2]

Time to pressure test the coolant system and see if you have a blown head gasket. I'm not sure what else the steam around the PCV would be, other than possible steam coming out of the engine just because it was hot air mixin with cool.


Sent from the howitzer

 

[David H]

I might be watching the condition of your oil for signs of milkyness. This would indicate the worst possible scenario that J68 mentioned. Also watch for oil in the coolant. If neither of these test positive over the next week or 2, no worries. There is always some water in the oil from condensation and this always cooks off at operating temps. This may account for the "steam".

 

[JMikk]

I might be watching the condition of your oil for signs of milkyness. This would indicate the worst possible scenario that J68 mentioned. Also watch for oil in the coolant. If neither of these test positive over the next week or 2, no worries. There is always some water in the oil from condensation and this always cooks off at operating temps. This may account for the "steam".

Since i posted this ive put another 100 miles on the truck according to the trip, no signs on coolant in the oil or vice versa. Must have been what you said, condensation cooking off. To be safe im still going to order new seals and gaskets off of rock auto

 

[dapepper9]

Is your pcv valve connected to the intake? If it's not it could very easily just be the regular gases and condensation leaving the engine naturally

 

[JMikk]

Is your pcv valve connected to the intake? If it's not it could very easily just be the regular gases and condensation leaving the engine naturally

Its all connected, maybe theres a hole in the line to the intake?

 

[auskip07]

how often do you change your oil? if the vehicle had sat for a long period of time condensation can form on top of the oil and when heated steam off.

 

[JMikk]

how often do you change your oil? if the vehicle had sat for a long period of time condensation can form on top of the oil and when heated steam off.

every 3k with high mileage motor oil