Water in Exhaust

**Rhinohuey** · 05-15-2008, 07:52 PM

On my way home from school the other day I noticed my low coolant light was on. I checked the radiator when I got home and noticed it was about 1/4 low. I checked all the hoses. No leaks. Checked the oil. Couldn't see and water or bubbles. When I looked at the exhaust I noticed the whole inside of the tip was completely wet and there were a few drips of water on the ground. The car doesn't ever seem to smoke when I rev it, but it always seems like theres water in the exhaust pipes after the car has ran. (short or long trip) I'm guessing this isn't normal. I'm hoping that its like a bad head gasket or something, but I'm worried about a cracked block or head or something. I don't think its like humidity or anything becuase I live in Arizona.

Heres a couple pics:

About 10 minutes of sitting after a short (1mi) drive home from work:

After letting car idle for about 2 min:

About 2 min idle, then reving car (notice drips):

**Wesman** · 05-15-2008, 08:13 PM

Looks like moisture/condensation to me.

The stock exhaust and muffler aren't very free flowing, so there's plenty of places for moisture to get trapped in. The muffler and tailpipes never even get that hot, so after a 1mile drive there will still be water in the exhaust. 1 mile isn't even enough time to get the car up to operating temperature. Remember, H2O is a byproduct of combustion, so some water will always be emitted from the exhaust with a properly working catalyst. Usually its in the form of a vapor though, so you don't notice it.

Take the car on a long drive, and make sure the engine gets fully up to temperature. Do some pulls to blow the moisture out of the exhaust. Then check the exhaust when you get back, it should be pretty dry.

If its still dripping water, then have the system pressure checked. That will tell you if you have a leaking head gasket.

The low coolant light may be nothing more than a coincidence, the low coolant sensors often get corroded and trigger the low coolant light when the coolant level is actually fine. Check the coolant level manually with the dipstick, that will tell you for sure.

**Rhinohuey** · 05-15-2008, 08:22 PM

Whew!! Thats good to hear.

Assuming something is leaking IN the engine, is there a common place they leak on these engines? Like gasket, crack in head, etc.

Thanks for the quick response by the way.

**Wesman** · 05-15-2008, 08:55 PM

Originally Posted by Rhinohuey

Whew!! Thats good to hear.

Assuming something is leaking IN the engine, is there a common place they leak on these engines? Like gasket, crack in head, etc.

Thanks for the quick response by the way.

Not really. Never heard of heads cracking unless they are extremely overheated, and head gasket issues are rare. Head bolts pull from the bottom of the block, so they are very strong.

**Rhinohuey** · 05-15-2008, 09:17 PM

Ok good. Thanks for your help.

**BluboxT/A** · 05-16-2008, 12:49 PM

I agree with wesman that there could be built up cendensation in the exhaust. Also you have blowby condensation/water that accumulates inside the engine block normally by passing the pistons..oil doesn't start to boil till 230+ and water boils at 212 so when you get up to operating temp you'll be evaperating the blowby gases out through the exhaust aka PCV (positive crankcase ventilation). So like he said go on a 20min+ ride, do a few hard pulls and it should be dry. Plus your coolant burning would be white as a mofo.

**LIGHTNINGMCQUEEN** · 05-16-2008, 03:52 PM

My tail pipes drip a little water too......n
othing to worry about!

**JohnnyBs98WS6Rag** · 05-17-2008, 06:44 PM

Originally Posted by BluboxT/A

..oil doesn't start to boil till 230+ and water boils at 212

I sure hope oil "boils" a little higher than 230.....LOL.

Plus your coolant burning would be white as a mofo.

True that, coolant getting into the engine where it would find its way out the exhaust would make a big cloud of white smoke once the engine gets up to temp.

**JoshieDoom** · 05-17-2008, 08:15 PM

Burning fossil fuels =co2 and h20

**Cronex** · 05-18-2008, 09:25 AM

Yeah, I'd bet that it is just condinsation. Nothing big. I used to get somewhat of wetness sometimes when I had stock exhaust on before I put the Loud Mouth on. I still get it every once in a while, it just doesn't leave a mark now since its stainless steel. However, mine didn't leave as big of a puddle, just like little spurts. But we have different weather conditions, so its not going to be the same.