Condensation in the Exhaust?

[Robwhite]

I moved the car out of the garage just now and then put it back 5 minutes later to see a 3-4 inch fluid patch on the drive, moved it back out and found another in the garage and then looked underneath and saw it dripping off a cross member just behind where the single exhaust pipe turns to a twin (near the rear of the car). Oh S*** a petrol leak, but no, it looks like water and tastes like water, it's certainly not petrol. It seemed to be coming more or less from where I had the back box cut out and replaced with a straight pipe 4 months ago. Left the engine running and it seemed to stop. Checked the expansion tank ands no drop in level, and no creamy sludge on the oil filler cap or the dipstick, so all seems to be OK up front. My thought is that condensation in the exhaust leaked out a failing exhaust weld. Anybody disagree or got a better idea?

Rob

[Tvrjock]

Hi Rob,
It is just condensation from the exhaust being cold, just like you would see from car exhausts on a cold winters day.
Graeme

[thenick]

Robwhite said:

tastes like water

You thought it was petrol so you tasted it to test?!

Yeah the condensation is normal. On my decat Chim I get loads, coupled with the carbon in the exhaust it makes a couple of lovely black streaks on my car park space! Have to be very careful walking behind it as it tends to have a habit of covering trousers and shoes as well!

Edited by thenick on Thursday 24th July 08:38

[Robwhite]

Yes I did taste it, it seemed the simplist way to check! It was condensation, just lots more than I would have thought. Just come back from a round trip from Bristol to Gloucester & Cheltenham - all very OK

Rob

[Littletidnock]

cannot remember full scientific make up, however, petrol contains hydrogen, air contains oxygen, H2O, hot engine turns the water into gas, cold engine produces water from exhaust