Your car’s internal combustion engine does create exhaust gas as part of the process, and if the exhaust gas isn’t flushed out, it would be toxic.
It can be alarming to see something other than gas coming out of the exhaust, usually this is water, right? So, what are some possible reasons for water coming from or dripping out of the exhaust?
In some cases, the water is produced as a byproduct from the operation and that’s normal. In other cases, you should take leaking fluids seriously and have it checked out. Let’s get to the reasons.
Water is Dripping Out of Your Tailpipe Causes
The most common reaction for water to be dripping from the exhaust pipe is simply normal water condensation. Smell or taste the water from the exhaust pipe, and if it does not smell or taste sweet, there is probably nothing wrong. If it smells sweet, it’s likely coolant.
These causes are the speedy list of the main causes of water dripping from the exhaust pipe. Let’s look at each of the most common causes in more detail:
#1. Water condensation.
The most obvious reason you will see water coming from the exhaust is because of condensation. This is a completely normal process and can happen for a variety of reasons.
When the internal combustion process takes place carbon dioxide, nitrogen and water vapor are formed.
As the gases leave the combustion chamber, the gases are mixed with the water molecules. Often as the engine cools down, the condensation of water becomes visible, especially from the tailpipe.
If the water droplets stops after a few minutes, there is nothing to worry about. If, on the other hand, you are seeing water continuously drip from the tailpipe, you may have a bigger problem.
#2. Catalytic converter condensation.
As with the condensation you see from water coming from the engine, you are also seeing water vapor coming from the cata. Don’t forget that the cat is changing the chemicals of the gas, and thus, creating more water molecules.
In the conversion, water vapor can come out the tailpipe. Just like the previous condensation, this should clear itself up in a few minutes, and consider normal operation of the exhaust system.
#3. Head Gasket Failure.
The previous reasons are not alarming, but a head gasket failure definitely is. If the reason the water is coming from your exhaust is caused by a blown head gasket, you have a major issue.
With a blown head gasket, you may see white smoke and water droplets coming out of your tail pipe, and may see air bubbling in your coolant reservoir, or see that your engine is overheating.
Either way, you want to remedy the problem as soon as possible, before you need a new engine altogether.
#4. EGR Cooler Failure.
Some newer car engines, primarily diesel models, come equipped with an EGR cooler designed to cool the exhaust gases before they enter the intake.
Liquid coolant is used to cool the exhaust gases, and the EGR cooler can crack. When this happens, coolant can enter the exhaust system and drop from the tailpipe.
If the liquid drops coming from the tailpipe smell sweet, broken EGR cooler can be a major contributor to the subsequential odor if your vehicle contains one.
#5. Defective Pistons or Rings.
Worn piston rings or defective piston will only lead to liquid drops out of the tailpipe if the head gasket is also blown or there was condensation already present in the exhaust. Also, bad pistons and or rings can have other indicators.
You may see black soot, oily residue expelled from the exhaust, blue smoke, or any combination of these options. Either way, do not continue operating with defective pistons or rings.
Cost to Repair Water Coming from Exhaust
There is nothing to fix if the water is just normal condensation. Otherwise, a blown head gasket or bad pistons or rings needs to be addressed right away.
The head gasket repair cost estimates range from $1,000 to $2,000. The reason the price goes up is not based on parts, it is based on the amount of time to complete the repair.
Defective piston and rings replacement cost estimates ranging from $1,000 to $5000 largely based on the really labour-intensive nature of the job. If either of these situations goes unchecked, you’ll need a full engine replacement.
Is it normal to see oil leaking from the exhaust?
Seeing oil leaking from the tail pipe is never good as it indicates a serious concern with the engine. The only way oil is leaking into the exhaust system is if it is passing through the combustion chamber.
The problem can be caused by a number of items, such as faulty piston rings, bad valve stem seals, or a faulty PCV valve. If you see a leak from your tail pipe, it is best to have it repaired sooner than later to avoid adding to what could be significant damage to your engine and possibly the catalytic converter.
What could cause water to drip from the exhaust pipe when idling?
In the majority of cases, it is absolutely normal to see water dripping from the exhaust pipe only when your car is idling. This happens because it is a by-product of the catalytic converter which converts a portion of harmful exhaust gases to water vapor and it is condensing within the exhaust system.
However, there could still be a possibility of the engine causing coolant to enter the combustion chambers. If this is the case, you will notice that the watery substance from the tailpipe feels greasy between your fingers.
What does it mean when a brown liquid drips from my exhaust?
The likely brown liquid dripping from your tailpipe is rust, which is being dissolved as water. Cars that are driven on short trips frequently have this problem.
The reason is that water vapor inside exhaust gases condenses on the cold walls of the muffler, which needs a bit of time to warm up; the condensed water collects on the bottom of the muffler, which will obviously corrode.
But, if you were to drive longer, you would burn the water out of the exhaust.
What would cause water to drip from the muffler?
Water dripping from the muffler can occur as part of the normal operation of the vehicle.
When it is running properly, the engine creates water vapor as part of the exhaust gas and while passing through exhaust pipes and mufflers, the vapor can condense to liquid water (especially if it is cold outside or the car has not developed the proper operating temperature).
If this is true for your car, then there is no reason to worry about the water dripping from the exhaust, especially if you drive on short trips all the time.
The engine produces exhaust gases as part of combustion. Water vapor is one of the exhaust gas components, and usually, the water vapor exits through the tailpipe as a vapor.
However, if it’s cold outside or if you drive your car for short trips all the time, the water vapor contained in the exhaust gases may condense somewhere in the exhaust system.
The result can be enough to accumulate in the muffler, where it may drip out while the engine is running.
While there is nothing wrong with the water dripping from the tailpipe, we cannot ignore a coolant leak into the engine’s cylinders, as it could create a similar effect.