mattl

Just bought an A4 1.6SE and whilst sitting in traffic (in the rain) I have
noticed a fine steam/mist coming from the top of the bonnet!
Checked engine compartment and all is well, it appears that the bonnet is
being heated by the exhaust manifold to a temp which is vapourising the
rain!

This is a little disconcerting and I am also worried about the paint on the
bonnet going dull. The VW/Audi specialist who recently replaced my faulty
coolant temp sensor reckons that a heat shield is missing.

I have spoken to 2 main dealers today and they have checked the parts lists
but both reckon that there shouldn't be a shield there! One of the dealers
even suggested that it is a common ocurrence????

Ok this one is a little strange but would appreciate advice/comments.

Cheers
Matt

Steve Sears

Matt,
Depending on the outside temperature and the humidity, you can generate
"steam" with your breath - still, you'd have to eat a lot of spicy food to
burn the paint off the hood with your breath
If you can put your hand on the hood without getting burned then you
shouldn't be alarmed - wait until the middle of the summer (assuming you're
in the Northern Hemisphere here...) and try that after the car has been
parked in the sun for a couple of hours......ow! Follow the care
instructions in the Owner's Manual and give it a wax every now and then.
The paint is baked on to the car during manufacture at temperatures higher
than the summer sun-generated ones.
Now if you can't put your hand on the hood without serious burns...ok, sorry
'bout that - it's too hot. You might want to ask the "VW/Audi specialist"
what shield, _EXACTLY_, he thinks is missing, or was he just "spitballing"
and, at the same time, both demonstrating his ignorance and scaring you? If
he confirms that, he'd be one "specialist" to steer clear of in the future
(= you just learned a cheap lesson), or if he produces a part
#...well....stick with him for service.
Cheers!
Steve Sears
1987 Audi 5kTQ - when the steam comes out from UNDER the hood....that's when
I'm alarmed (BTDT)
1980 Audi 5k - fan plug came out once....got a bit steamy then. oops.
1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - naturally "steamy"....D.K.W.
once stood for Dampf Kraft Wagen = Steam Motor Vehicle
(SPAM Blocker NOTE: Remove SHOES to reply)

"mattl" <matthew.lauezzari@NOSPAMntlworld.com> wrote in message
news:HoPWb.193$U54.53@newsfep3-gui.server.ntli.net...
> Just bought an A4 1.6SE and whilst sitting in traffic (in the rain) I have
> noticed a fine steam/mist coming from the top of the bonnet!
> Checked engine compartment and all is well, it appears that the bonnet is
> being heated by the exhaust manifold to a temp which is vapourising the
> rain!
>
> This is a little disconcerting and I am also worried about the paint on
the
> bonnet going dull. The VW/Audi specialist who recently replaced my faulty
> coolant temp sensor reckons that a heat shield is missing.
>
> I have spoken to 2 main dealers today and they have checked the parts
lists
> but both reckon that there shouldn't be a shield there! One of the dealers
> even suggested that it is a common ocurrence????
>
> Ok this one is a little strange but would appreciate advice/comments.
>
> Cheers
> Matt
>
>

C.R. Krieger

"Steve Sears" <steve.sears@SHOESsoil-mat.on.ca> wrote in message news:<NhRWb.8560$lK.607983@news20.bellglobal.com>. ..

(Snipping all the stuff Steve's right about)

> 1987 Audi 5kTQ - when the steam comes out from UNDER the hood....that's when
> I'm alarmed (BTDT)

BT, DT.

> 1980 Audi 5k - fan plug came out once....got a bit steamy then. oops.

BT, DT (sticky relay)

> 1962 and '64 Auto Union DKW Junior deLuxes - naturally "steamy"....D.K.W.
> once stood for Dampf Kraft Wagen = Steam Motor Vehicle

Close, but no damp cigar. 'Kraft' is *'power'*, auf Deutsch. 'Steam
*Motor* Vehicle' would have been, as any Bavarian could tell you, DMW
....

Then, there was the pre-VW prototype KdF (Kraft durch Freude; Power
through Joy; gawd, didn't those ***** turn a phrase?)-wagen.
--
C.R. Krieger
(Das Grosse Wunder)