Why there is a lot of water in the muffler: the problem of condensation

The content of the article

• Where is the water in the exhaust system of a car
• Physical condensation processes
• Why is a lot of water going in the muffler
• When driving in winter
• With rare use of the car
• In cars with a modern exhaust gas cleaning system
• Is condensation in cars dangerous?
• If water flows from the exhaust pipe on a warm engine
• If black liquid is dripping
• If there is white smoke coming from the silencer and water
• How to prevent the appearance of fluid in the exhaust pipe

Moisture in the internal components of the car is a sign of the proper functioning of its main components. At the same time, there is no need to clutch your head and rush to the nearest service station. After all, there can be no question of any defect here. Although novice motorists are sometimes shocked when this moisture accumulates in a decent puddle. A reasonable question: why is there a lot of water in the muffler? It already depends on the ambient temperature, operation mode and fuel quality.

Where is the water in the exhaust system of a car

The reason for this is condensate – a liquid that has passed from a gas state due to cooling or compression. Its appearance is due to the temperature difference: the muffler heated from the inside is not cooled as intensively as from the outside. In this case, moisture is formed only after the engine is stopped. As soon as the car stalls, dewdrops begin to settle in the exhaust pipe. In winter, the accumulated condensate also freezes. So the ice growths gradually increase, forming a cork in the muffler of the car.

Physical condensation processes

The composition of the fuel is the basis from which moisture appears inside the exhaust pipe. Gasoline is a mixture of light hydrocarbons. Upon combustion, they form many gaseous substances, including water vapor. Regardless of the quality of the fuel, there will always be moisture in the muffler. But “premium” gasoline produces less water than cheap. At a certain air temperature, these vapors settle. This creates condensation: the exhaust pipe cools quickly outside, but warm air remains inside for a long time.

Why is a lot of water going in the muffler

Noticing condensate dripping from the exhaust pipe, an inexperienced car owner either panics or is perplexed. At the same time, rushing to the nearest service station is not the most thought-out idea. Moisture accumulation in the inside of the pipe is facilitated by several factors. They need to be dealt with in more detail:

• driving in winter – the temperature difference outside the muffler and inside it makes itself felt;
• rare use of the car – short short trips are fraught with increased condensate;
• modern exhaust gas treatment – their device entails side effects.

When driving in winter

The cold season is the best condition for the formation of condensate in the muffler. The air temperature outside the exhaust pipe is much lower than inside it. So moisture does not evaporate, but settles in a liquid state. Automatic heating of the car partially solves the problem with condensate. But moisture still remains on the cold components of the exhaust system, because the idle speed is not so great as to blow it with a stream of gases. Therefore, water settles inside the muffler, accumulating with each new heating.

With rare use of the car

The shorter the trip, the worse the muffler warms up, which means less intense evaporation of moisture. It will settle in the exhaust pipe in larger volumes than during prolonged use. Car owners who make long trips experience less difficulty with condensate in the muffler. You can’t say about those who use their iron horse only for short forays “home-work-home”.

In cars with a modern exhaust gas cleaning system

Due to the catalyst (hazardous emission system), condensate can flow right while driving. Many substances emanate from the cylinders and are sent to the exhaust manifold. The process is accompanied by the release of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, oxygen and water. Only the last three elements are harmless to humans. All the rest goes to the car’s catalyst, where they are oxidized by platinum and palladium. This forms carbon dioxide and water vapor. The latter remains inside the muffler.

Is condensation in cars dangerous?

Moisture settled in the muffler is a sign of proper operation of the vehicle’s internal systems. Although this phenomenon does not pose a radical danger, it would be rash to close our eyes to it. The main reason for this is corrosion. Specialists at domestic service stations claim that exhaust gases have no less aggressive effect than condensate. But water in a car muffler is still a potential threat, just like any metal fluid. The same applies to the gas tank, engine, interior – in these places, moisture sometimes accumulates in the same volumes as in the muffler.

In addition to the fact that water will be effectively sprayed from the exhaust pipe, the car owner will also face a trivial inconvenience. During the trip, few will ignore the gurgling and “spitting” sounds made by the silencer, and in the cold season there is an additional nuisance – an ice jam. Frozen condensate can simply block the exhaust outlet, which prevents the machine from moving.

If water flows from the exhaust pipe on a warm engine

Moisture can get out of the fuel tank into other car systems. If the neck of the oil filler cap is dirty with white coating, condensation is present in the engine itself. If the gasket is damaged, similar marks remain next to the valves. Even antifreeze mixed with oil can have the same appearance. In any case, moisture in the engine is a risk of increased heat..

The source of the problem lies in the leaky parts of the car, but if these damage is not detected even with a thorough inspection, then it is too early to worry. Condensation may occur due to a mixture of water and oil on the engine. Ordinary moisture removers will help get rid of it. When interacting with water, these substances enter into a chemical reaction. Thus, compounds are formed that burn during engine operation without harming the inside of the car.

If black liquid is dripping

Anxiety begins from the moment when the condensate leaking from the exhaust pipe is iridescent with an unusual shade. It can be black, blue, and sometimes yellow-green. But the color of the moisture from the muffler should not perplex the car owner. On the contrary, this shade will give an understanding of the nature of the problem:

• Some parts of the car are very worn out. Oil may be leaking or coolant will stain moisture from the muffler in an unusual color.
• Cheap low-quality fuel with a high content of additives. The latter, as a rule, do not burn out, but exit the muffler along with condensate.
• High concentration of soot in gasoline dyes moisture in yellow-green color.
• Soot settled inside the muffler, causing black water to drip from the exhaust pipe.

The cause of color condensate is detected only by diagnosis. Preliminary conclusions can be made by an independent inspection of the car:

1. Check condensate composition. Good engine warming up, it is necessary to close the exhaust pipe with thick paper. After which this sheet is laid off to dry in the heat. If there are greasy spots on it, then this indicates an oil leak.
2. Inspect the space under the hood. All attention should be focused on the search for oil films. With such a breakdown, anyone standing next to a car learns the characteristic oily smell of leaking.
3. Inspect the spark plugs. One or even several of them externally may look perfectly clean. This is a sure sign that coolant has fallen on her / them..
4. Check oil and antifreeze scale. Overuse of these components leads to leaks.
5. Check engine condition. Its overheating may be associated with a leak in the internal systems of transport.
6. Find a new fuel supplier. The quality of gasoline from another gas station can be very different from the previous one..
7. Do not avoid visits to service stations. Specialists of a decent car service will see something that most drivers simply do not pay attention to. Self-diagnosis of parts does not guarantee any results; servicing the machine should be entrusted to experienced professionals.

If there is white smoke coming from the silencer and water

This is a sign of moisture accumulated inside the gas tank. From there, the liquid enters the exhaust pipe, the spark plugs and the fuel pump. In the same way, it can be in the car engine. The cause of the problem is low-grade fuel, which is sold at old, small or cheap gas stations. To avoid this, you need to inquire about the price of gasoline. If its cost at a particular gas station is lower than the city average, then not everything is so rosy.

Such a step can only be solved with the supply of fuel with an octane number artificially increased by adding additives. Proven gas stations from well-known companies are definitely more reliable. But even low-quality gasoline is not a cardinal hindrance if you fill it with a full tank. So for moisture physically there will be no place where it could form. Otherwise, the risk of condensation inside the cylinders increases significantly..

How to prevent the appearance of fluid in the exhaust pipe

Whether it’s a luxury car or an old car – it won’t protect against the laws of physics, condensation forms in everyone. The same applies to the quality of gasoline – moisture will be in all brands, albeit in different volumes. But if water got into the muffler, then you should adhere to effective recommendations. Proven by time and practice, they will help get rid of condensate:

1. Store the car inside the garage when the weather is cold. Many car owners prefer to leave their vehicles in the cold, not wanting to spend time walking from home to the garage – in winter this is a gross disrespect for their car. If you park it at night in a warm room (for example, in a garage), then in the morning it will take less time to warm up.
2. Auto warm up. This feature is available in most modern cars. It is important to correctly configure it, so that along with the machine its muffler warms up. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that even with the activation of this system, the exhaust pipe will not be clogged with icy condensate. This applies to both cars with injectors and carburetors – however, the latter warm up more slowly.
3. Pay attention to the parking place. If the car is on a slope towards its muffler, then water flows out of it faster.
4. Arrange at least weekly long trips. This is an effective preventive measure against the formation of ice plugs from frozen moisture..
5. Insulate the exhaust pipe of the car if there is neither a garage nor a heating function. For this, non-combustible heat insulators or liquid heating are suitable..
6. Change gas station. Poor fuel also contributes to condensation inside the muffler.
7. Drill a tiny hole in the cavity. The old and ambiguous method, providing free outflow of water. Less method – the same hole will serve as a catalyst for the development of corrosion.