I'll be firing my engine tomorrow after sitting for 13 years. I've done all the prep work and today was cranking the engine over with plugs out.

I got a bit carried away and cranked for ~15 seconds straight - stopped when I smelled something hot. Not crispy, but definitely warm. I got down under the car to see if I could track the smell and saw wisps of water vapor coming apparently from the torque converter cover plate.

I watched for maybe three minutes as the vapor slowly eased out from the area. It gradually tapered off.

WTH? I can't figure out what caused the vapor. Maybe it's not even water.

Is this something I need to worry about before I start the engine tomorrow? Anybody seen this before?