Hi to all,

I am new participant of this forum as well as new owner of Jag XJ8 (1998, 4L). I have just obtained this car and some problems arrived together with this car I hope that I solve them and after that I can enjoy driving Jag.

Some small problems I have already solved with help of this forum, but yesterday I have had short trip and it was rainy day, when I have stopped, I have seen the smoke/steam in rear part of the car (it looks that the source of the steam was the wheels and silencer), the same situation was in the front of the car (just less of the smoke). People who have seen the car were scared because of the smoke.

Do you think it is normal? Do you have had same experience ?

J.

 

All I can tell you is that I have never had even a vaguely similar experience with my car, which isn't all that different from your own.

 

Sounds like hot brake rotors. Live in a hilly area, riding the brake pedal or had an aggressive stop? Alternative is stuck caliper pistons but unlikely you would have more than one at a time, certainly not 4.

When you have time, please visit the new member area and introduce yourself. Link below:
New Member Area - Intro a MUST - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

 

Thanks for your views, but first idea which came to me was also breaks, but as I have mentioned it looks that the steam comes more from silencer/muffler. Mentioned smoke makes its way through the wheels and bumper holes.

Kind regards

 

My rear silencers don't get hot enough to steam. Do you have a CEL on? Getting good fuel mileage? Thought being that you are running rich and burning gas in the catalytic converters.

 

Sorry for stupid question, but what does it mean CEL ?

 

CEL = Check Engine Light

 

Something is getting abnormally hot. Either the brakes, or the cats. Drive the thing as you normally do, but at night. If something is red hot, you will see it. I've seen the hot discs in the back, when the parking brake was siezed (red hot!). If the cats are burning fuel, you would have all kinds of codes. If you can't see anything hot, get the scanner, and check the codes.
What you are describing is NOT normal.

Go into your profile, and update your location. Looks like you are not English speaking, and if we know where are you from, we will not throw American abbreviations (like CEL), or any slang your way.

 

Thank you for many good and clever thoughts! New abbreviations are also good issue, it increase also competence of language

Currently I have some business trip, but I have left my jag in Car Service, so I will update you on problems which will be detected. Taking into account that I have just obtained my cat, I have also ordered many other services (starting with change of oil, brake lines, ARB as well as driveshaft crosspieces), but I hope that the problem concerning steam will be indicated as well.

Thanks again for your ideas!!!!


J.

 

Has to be water. How much rain in Lithuania?

 

Yes, usually we have rainyautumns But how water is related to the problem?

However, I got some assessmentfrom one master in car service that the problem can be related to condensate inthe silencer. Us I have mentioned the conclusions I will receive soon, so I letyou know

Regards,

J.

 

If it persists maybe use a hose while it is still hot to see if the problem is still there.(simulate the rain)

But it does sound like steam from hot exhaust/brakes. I have a similar model and do not have that problem. Keep us posted.
And welcome to the forum from Australia Jocker.

 

I drove my XJ8L in a lot of heavy rain which is unavoidable in the UK but never had an instance of the issue you describe.

You should determine whether this is steam or smoke. Neither is desirable but smoke could be very serious.

Graham

 

Thank you Graham for comments, I will try to indicate the aspect between smoke or steam. if possible,please write shortly why smoke can be very serious?

Regards,

J.

 

Jocker,

For steam:
coming off the outside of the exhaust system, differential or brakes indicates rain water being vapourised. Unusual for this to be excessive and shows the affected part(s) running hot. Steam emerging from the exhaust tail pipes points to an engine management issue.

For smoke:
something is seriously overheated. As has already been suggested, sticking brakes can generate very high temperatures. Failing bearing is another possibility.

The reasoning behind my comment about smoke / steam was you can probably take a bit more of a relaxed approach to resolving steam sources but smoke indicates something about to go seriously wrong.

Graham