4 Causes of Water Leaking from the Exhaust
Normally, water will not come out of the exhaust system of your vehicle. However, if you notice water leaking or dripping from the exhaust pipe, then water must be present in the exhaust system. This cause is usually not a big deal, so there is no need to worry.
However, if you are not confident in your abilities, it is best to have a professional mechanic inspect and diagnose this situation. Otherwise, you could end up with a much worse outcome that could cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
In most of these situations, this is not a big deal. In the worst case, you may need to replace one or two small components, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Below are some common causes of water coming out of the exhaust pipe under normal and abnormal conditions.
Causes of water coming out of the exhaust pipe
1) Condensation (normal cause)
Right after the engine completes the combustion process, a mixture of carbon dioxide and water is formed. After the engine has had some time to cool down, exhaust gases leave the chamber and exit the exhaust pipe. The condensation of these gases can be seen more clearly. h. You can see water dripping out of the exhaust.
2) Catalyst (Usual Cause)
When your exhaust system emits toxic carbon gases, the catalytic converter serves to reduce the size of these gases before they are released from the exhaust. This makes your vehicle more environmentally friendly and at the same time reduces the risk of harming others. This water vapor forms small water droplets and comes out of the exhaust.
3) Engine Heat (Usual Cause)
If you live in an environment with low temperatures, you can expect water coming out of the exhaust. Engine components usually take time to cool down as the oil circulates.
Meanwhile, the moving parts of the engine generate a lot of heat during the first few minutes after starting. The exhaust system also gets abnormally hot.
This causes water vapor to form when the heat combines with the cool air. You will then see small droplets of water coming out of the exhaust along with what looks like white smoke. Just wait a few minutes with the engine running and it should all go away.
4) Faulty piston (cause of abnormality)
If water leaks out of the exhaust pipe due to a defective piston, it can be serious. In addition to the water, you will also see smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe, which will tell you if the piston or its rings are the cause.
In severe cases, a burning smell will fill the cabin. Or it could be a sweet smell that indicates a bigger problem.
So if you notice any strange smells, smoke, or water coming from the exhaust, don’t drive your car. Have it towed to an auto repair shop so they can check for problems with the pistons and piston rings and replace them if necessary.