My ZXi (106,000) miles seems to emit steam from the exhaust at idle, even when the engine has warmed up. On cool or cold days anyway. I say steam, cos it doesn't smell of oil (or anything else much). The engine seems to go OK, and is very smooth. Is this normal (something to do with the fuel - standard unleaded - or the cat) ???

mine can steam form time to time too. i asked mazda about this and they said that it can be to do with the cat and the fact that the harmful gases get turned to water or sumthing like that, so some cars do tend to steam a bit. You will notice it more on cold days coz it will condense more. the guy said that it is not unusual to take an exhaust off and tip a couple of pints of water out of it. remember exhausts tend to rust from inside to outside, this is why.

Only other thing to look out for your coolant level. keep an eye on that make sure your not eating coolant, and make sure you not using alot of oil. also look out for oil floatin on top of your coolant. this can be sign of the head gasget on the way out, which on the V6 isnt gonna take too kindly to your wallet if that happens.

Can also do a fair amount of damage if your not careful aswell. basicly ma mechanic told me that if it uses a little bit of water dont worry bout it but if it starts to use a good amount then think about gettin it looked at. though that is for my little 1.5 4 pot.

Arty

Thanks for that. Think I'll have a chat with my local garage...

[color=blue]Mine steams well too, only on cold days, and only when in slow moving/stationary traffic, but then so do alot of other cars, my old car a Galant GTi 16v never had a cat and would steam even more than the 323 I have now...... [/color]

I've noticed that alot from my V6 as well recently, never really noticed it on my 1500