Leaky Exhaust

[Joenavy85]

my exhaust system leaks, but i'm not talking about leaking exhaust, it's leaking a liquid. i stopped by the bank a few days ago, and when i came back out there was a puddle under the Jeep, but not behind the right front tire like i'm used to (the AC condensation runoff). it was under the muffler and looked like water, i dabbed my finger in it and smelled it, and it smelled like water. now, me being the gearhead i am, i then tasted it (just residue from my finger) and it tasted like water with a hint of exhaust mixed in. anybody else noticed with their vehicles??

[Christ]

Happens alot, Joe. Its just condensation inside the exhaust system. Happens more if you make alot of short trips and don't let the engine stay at op tempfor 20-30 min.

[dennyt]

Water vapor is a byproduct of combustion, and when your exhaust system isn't warmed-up it will condense the water vapor. So if you see a car dripping water out of the tailpipe, you know it's not warmed-up yet.

[Joenavy85]

i had seen it out of the tail pipe before, but never leaking from around the muffler, wasn't sure if it was the same thing. i guess since it leaks from there it's time for a new exhaust/muffler

[Frank Lee]

Some (all?) mufflers have drain holes in the bottom, or else they'd have water sitting in them almost all the time. Then they'd rot out.

[Christ]

Some, yes. Not all. Usually OE. Aftermarket and OE replacements usually don't have it.

[Joenavy85]

makes sense, i had just never noticed it before.

[euromodder]

Hypermiling, you're reducing the volume and velocity of the flow thru the exhaust.
You're probably coasting as well - even less flow and less heat input.
Result : the exhaust system will be cooler and you get more condensation.