I have a 2001 Dodge Caravan with a 111,000 miles on it. The coolant level is full & the temperature doesn't go above Medium. I was parked yesterday with running engine & a guy brought to my attention that steam was coming from under my hood. Its not a lot & when i open the hood its coming from the passenger side area by the radiator. What is this?

 

moisture evaperating from the fins of the radiator

 

Is this bad?

 

could be condensation, rain, snow, etc. If it was coolant you would be low and then it would be bad. If your wife sees it, it could be bad for you.... (from experience). I wouldn't worry about it unless you are loosing coolant.

 

the coolant thing is very hard to tell... it looks full to me but im not 100% sure! i do have check engine light in the van because of computer issues so for all i know i could be loosing coolant & the computer isn't giving me any notifications about it.....

 

The computor won't tell you your leaking coolant, gotta figure that one out yourself. Do you have a code for the check engine lamp?

 

i never see anything dripping from under my car so i don't think it's leaking honestly. no i don't have the code... when my mechanic last checked it like a yr ago it was computer problems... i have never checked it since then.

 

Well, just keep an eye on the level

 

was it a one time thing or do you notice steam after the van is warmed up? if it's not a one time thing, smell the steam. if it has a sweet smell its antifreeze. The rad in my caravan started to leak like that.... see a little steam but no drips or leaks that I could see until it got worse.