[ejazbmw]

Weird second time I noticed smoke from the hood on a rainy day. Happened before when it was raining wasn't even driving aggressive both times. It's not even that cold outside either its 50 degrees here don't see.any smoke on clear days either. Is this something I should worry about?

[AndreyT]

Where exactly was the smoke coming from? "From hood" doesn't sound too precise. Smoke can only come from some opening. Which opening was it in your case?

[ejazbmw]

Sorry using my phone to post but I didn't get a chance to look where it was coming from I was in stop and go traffic

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

It's funny you mentioned this because I just noticed this tonight. It's been raining/misting all evening and when I got home I noticed steam swirling around just above the surface of the hood.

Our hoods DO get very hot during normal operation. Just the nature of the beast with FI cars. My 2009 Corvette's engine was an ice-block in comparison to the very hot running N55.

[GTOtoBMW]

Something else to think about is that there is no insulation between the motor and the hood. Just consider that light smoke "normal" in the rain.

[Slops]

Right... I like to think its just steam

[ejazbmw]

thats stupid lol i beat the hell out of my gtr and don't see smoke on rainy days....oh well i guess its ok if its "normal"

[Gilda G]

its steam from water getting in from the grills hitting something hot. i had the same thing on my e60. bmw said its perfectly normal on rain or snowing days if it occurs only when giving the gas from a dead stop (as long as its light colored smoke) .

[eyim1988]

Originally Posted by gildagjg

its steam from water getting in from the grills hitting something hot. i had the same thing on my e60. bmw said its perfectly normal on rain or snowing days if it occurs only when giving the gas from a dead stop (as long as its light colored smoke) .

+1

This happens to me all the time on rainy days

[AndreyT]

Well, I'd expect an average person to be able to tell smoke from steam. Also, I'd expect an average person to know that virtually all cars steam from the hood surface in the rain. It is virtually impossible to miss this effect, unless you live in some area where it never rains.

Under these circumstances I's assume that if the OP is talking about smoke, it should be smoke, not steam. And as any smoke, it should be coming from under the hood.

I could be mistaken though, in which case file me under "amazed".

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by AndreyT

Well, I'd expect an average person to be able to tell smoke from steam. Also, I'd expect an average person to know that virtually all cars steam from the hood surface in the rain. It is virtually impossible to miss this effect, unless you live in some area where it never rains.

Under these circumstances I's assume that if the OP is talking about smoke, it should be smoke, not steam. And as any smoke, it should be coming from under the hood.

I could be mistaken though, in which case file me under "amazed".

alright smart ass relax...I've been driving for 8 years now and never noticed this "smoke" on any other car I've owned in rain.

[SRT14PimPin07]

Lmao at the smart ass comment!

I think this is like when you weak up on a cold but sunny day when there is a lot of due on the car. You can see seam comming off the car just from the due evaporating.

I think it's just because of the heat.

[turugara]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

thats stupid lol i beat the hell out of my gtr and don't see smoke on rainy days....oh well i guess its ok if its "normal"

Yes. Because.... racecar

[AndreyT]

Originally Posted by ejazbmw

alright smart ass relax...I've been driving for 8 years now and never noticed this "smoke" on any other car I've owned in rain.

You mean it actually was steam???! Facepalm. I'll go stare into the wall for an hour with empty-eyed expression of indescribable shock on my face.

P.S. Apparently, knowing what steam is is considered "smartass" these days... I guess I better not tell anyone I know how to tie shoelaces.

P.P.S. I can suspend my disbelief and accept he fact that someone might drive cars for 8 years and never see their hood steam in the rain. That's OK. After all, people sometimes don't pay attention to things like that. But when you actually noticed it for the very first time on your BMW, didn't the word "steam" kinda pop up in your head? You know: water, heat... er.. steam. Huh? No?

[ejazbmw]

Originally Posted by AndreyT

You mean it actually was steam???! Facepalm. I'll go stare into the wall for an hour with empty-eyed expression of indescribable shock on my face.

P.S. Apparently, knowing what steam is is considered "smartass" these days... I guess I better not tell anyone I know how to tie shoelaces.

P.P.S. I can suspend my disbelief and accept he fact that someone might drive cars for 8 years and never see their hood steam in the rain. That's OK. After all, people sometimes don't pay attention to things like that. But when you actually noticed it for the very first time on your BMW, didn't the word "steam" kinda pop up in your head? You know: water, heat... er.. steam. Huh? No?

dude..........get a life im not going to sit here and argue you about the difference between steam and smoke with you.

[C230AMG]

FYI, the extreme temperature differences form the hot engine, the hood soaking up the engine heat to the cold rain water splashing it will result in steam rising from cooking rain water on your hot hood. Long term, will damage paint on your hood, only remedy I can think of is to get the insulated hood liner from the 328i and retrofit it. This should resolve this issue.