Why Water Can Come Out of Your Exhaust Pipe – Jalopnik

Sometimes car problems are clearly visible, such as leaks, unusual noises, overheating and bluish exhaust smoke, which may indicate that your car is burning oil excessively. Other symptoms are less clear in terms of their severity and can be classified with the vague statement: ‘it depends’. As for the water droplets from the exhaust pipe, this is a good example of the latter, and it could indicate something important or completely normal.

For example, when the vehicle’s exhaust system is cold, such as early in the morning, the usually invisible byproducts of the combustion process in the air will cool rapidly as they make their way to the exhaust pipe, and are converted into droplets via condensation. However, as the exhaust system warms up, the droplets should disappear. Furthermore, the catalytic converter’s job is to absorb pollutants – such as hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide – and convert them into water vapor, among other harmless or less volatile substances. Under completely normal circumstances, condensation can easily occur for a short time. However, exhaust condensation can also be a sign of serious problems, which if not addressed could lead to catastrophic engine failure. You could be dealing with a damaged cylinder head, a problem with your EGR cooler (if applicable) or a defect in your engine’s head gasket.

For an internal combustion engine to work properly, it must be able to maintain compression, which is achieved in part by the sealing ability of a head gasket. If this part is compromised, performance will suffer and coolant can end up where it shouldn’t be, sometimes signaled by water droplets exiting the exhaust pipe.

You’ll also want to take a closer look at the amount of water leaving the end of the outlet, as normal use should produce only a minimal and occasional drip. Flow in larger quantities is certainly a warning sign.

Finally, although water droplets in themselves may not be a cause for concern, you will still have problems if they are accompanied by the presence of white smoke and/or a sweet odor. This is a strong indication (although not definitive) that your head gasket has blown, one of the car parts you should never skimp on. It also means that coolant has infiltrated your exhaust system. Coolant, made with ethylene glycol, creates a decidedly unique smell, which one user on Reddit’s r/subaru forum describes as smelling “like a weird candy.”

Replacing a head gasket is not a cheap repair Repair buddy estimated to cost between $2,457 and $3,219 on average. However, if the problem is not addressed immediately, you could be faced with much more damage to your wallet. Although this depends on several factors such as the make, model and year of the vehicle, Consumer Affairs estimate that you will need to spend at least $5,000 for an engine replacement, and in some cases it can cost as much as $10,000.