White steam?

Blown284 said:
I get, what I'd consider, "normal" steam out of the starboard engine. However, the port engine looks like I'm streaming a nice white streak and am part of the Blue Angels putting on a show.
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I think that paints a pretty clear picture, so I'm in the camp of "that's not normal". I think it should be investigated.

By all means, SOME steam is normal - particularly on cooler days or near cold water. At most, I see a steam trail extending about 10' behind the boat at cruising speed. It's no-where near long enough to qualify for the Blue Angels!
 
Take a video if possible I am curious. And if u Do end up finding something wrong please post the issue
 
Are you losing coolant in the engine that shows the most exhaust steam? Your problem happened to me on my starboard engine last year. I have 7.4 MPI's. Turned out to be the main heat exchanger was leaking into the fresh water. Lots of steam compared to the port engine. This happened slowly over time and I could not find the cause until the coolant tank went dry. My exchangers were about 11 years old at the time, I have since changed them all.
 
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mj_duell said:
Are you losing coolant in the engine that shows the most exhaust steam? Your problem happened to me on my starboard engine last year. I have 7.4 MPI's. Turned out to be the main heat exchanger was leaking into the fresh water. Lots of steam compared to the port engine. This happened slowly over time and I could not find the cause until the coolant tank went dry. My exchangers were about 11 years old at the time, I have since changed them all.
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I'll check the tank(s) ... they were definitely nice and full prior to departure. I really did a thorough test on these engines prior to starting it up much less going out on a cruise.
 
Air O'Nautical said:
I get steam out of mine...always have. Trails 2 ft behind the boat, just like in the SeaRay brochure shot of my boat.
ce13f66aa29bb12ce09340b3baf91eab_zpsffb71b65.jpg

I sometimes borrow (free rental @ auto Z) a radiator pressure tester.
Fits on top of heat exchanger and instructions that apply to a car's system are the same.
Can diagnose any leaks in the antifreeze side of the cooling system like, elbow and head gaskets and will test the heat exchanger for leaks.
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My wife just told me , since I was concentrating on driving, that the stream of white steam was approx 2 foot and more pronounce the more throttle I gave her.
 
Hey Quint4! Thanks for posting the photo!! Why wouldn't it allow me to do that using "insert image" using the URL??
 
I am not sure I just did an image grab on my MacBook and clicked on the insert image icon to browse for the image and post it
 
Jimmy Buoy said:
Check out Sea Ray's brochure shot of my 340 Amberjack - see any steam??? (can't get the photo to post directly - "too large")

http://www.searay.com/boat_graphics/electronic_brochure/company1731/8485_f.pdf

Basically, you're going to see a HUGE steam trail behind this NEW boat. I'd say that would indicate it to be a "nominal" condition while underway...
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Thanks. Not questioning you and the picture speaks for itself. However, then why am I seeing more steam on one side vs. the other? LOL. It's one of those burning questions for me to understand the "why?"
 
I like to believe its magical! Lol But no I am going to rent one of those testers spoken of above and c if my exchangers are leaking. I will also mmonitor my anti freeze thanks
 
Alegria said:
Hi Tim. I get steam as well on cruise more from the port then starboard. Could be cold water temp causing it to be one pronounced. I've been told if it disappears in seconds it's steam if it lasts longer then it's antifreeze. I have a todo to break apart the elbow from the manifold and check that gasket they are know to fail. Still not in the water yet hopefully this week. Glad to see you are getting out on the new boat. I'll give you a call once I'm in the water.

Sent from my Galaxy S3
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Tom,
When are you dropping/taking boat out? I'd love to take a ride on your boat to see how much steam you're getting as opposed to my boat. I think you have my cell #?

Tim
 
Sounds like a little steam or even a moderate amount (especially in cold water) is normal.

A large amount could indicate a problem. The quandary is how to define "large" and properly troubleshoot it.
 
Sounds like you have a closed system. If so, is the coolant level dropping? Have you detected any antifreeze odor from the exhaust?
Leaking antifreeze can produce white exhaust that appears to be steam.
 
Quint4 said:
Sounds like a little steam or even a moderate amount (especially in cold water) is normal.

A large amount could indicate a problem. The quandary is how to define "large" and properly troubleshoot it.
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Exactly! My concern really is that one engine is blowing out a lot more steam then the other. If they were both the same, I would not be worried one bit. I'm going to start small.... since the impellers were both just changed I'm going to change that one imepeller and see if any changes are noticed. If not, I'll continue troubleshooting.
 
Ever since this thread started I've been watching my exhaust a lot more. Really didn't c anything different from what I normally do other then the other day. I left my canal and headed out . A nice trail coming out of port side exhaust. Got curiouse did a 180 turn to head back and the trail switxhed from port to starboard side. Now although I don't have an explenation for this I figured somebody might? The transition was instantanious.
 
Xplicitlnck said:
Ever since this thread started I've been watching my exhaust a lot more. Really didn't c anything different from what I normally do other then the other day. I left my canal and headed out . A nice trail coming out of port side exhaust. Got curiouse did a 180 turn to head back and the trail switxhed from port to starboard side. Now although I don't have an explenation for this I figured somebody might? The transition was instantanious.
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Wow now you have me seriously curious. Thank you for helping me trace this down... every little bit helps!
 
I have always had a 2 to 3 foot trail of steam out of each of my 8.1's. Really had me concerned at first. I am fresh water cooled, and replaced my impellers and manifolds and still have the same trail. FYI, my impellers and manifolds were in good condition. I just didn't know what to expect. Temps were at 159 for each motor before and after.
 
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