White steam / smoke from Cooper S when cold?

[Wilburo]

Over the last few days I've been able to spot quite a lot of white smoke / steam from the exhaust when stopped in traffic. This occurs during the first 15 minutes of the journey.

Now, I've only had the car since May so it's been the first time I've used it in the cold.

It's enough that I can see it through the rear-view mirror, and billowing about on the floor via the wing mirror.

Is this just condensation, or something else?

edit: Forgot to add that this is a R53 '54 plate Cooper S.

Edited by Wilburo on Thursday 30th October 16:06

[DanGT]

It very much sounds like there is no problem. I would keep an look out on the water and oil levels just in case( you shold do this any way ). But if it was my car I wouldent worry.

[Garlick]

Mine does that too- and it has just completed a 1500 mile Euro trip with no problems

[Wilburo]

Thanks for the responses guys - any idea what causes it?

[danrc]

Wilburo said:

Thanks for the responses guys - any idea what causes it?

Its condensation i believe thats being burnt off.

[JJCW]

Yup mine does this too

[Silent1]

When the exhaust is cold it collects water inside it (condensation), as the exhaust warms it boils off producing steam, because of the central exit of the exhaust and also the stupid length of the standard Cooper S system (front to back, then one side of the car to the other and then back to the middle) it takes quite a while to heat up, hence a lot of steam.

All cars produce the steam when they're cold.