If you notice a small puddle of water beneath your car’s tailpipe, it is nothing to worry about. Usually, this happens due to the process of condensation. However, if this dripping of water from the exhaust is excessive and continuous, it can be a cause of concern. You might wonder what water coming out of the exhaust pipe means in this case and what you can do to fix the issue.
Today, we look at the reasons behind water coming from the exhaust: the ones that do not require your attention and the ones that need to be fixed. For a better understanding of the difference, it is important to understand how the exhaust system works.
Importance of the Exhaust System in Your Car
The main function of your car exhaust system is to receive exhaust gases from the cylinders and filter out hazardous elements. The exhaust system basically operates as a funnel, directing exhaust gases from all of the engine’s cylinders and releasing them via the front pipe. The exhaust system starts at the engine combustion chambers and extends along the vehicle’s chassis until it exits from the visible tailpipe from where water drops come out of the exhaust and exhaust gases escape the vehicle. In between, it has other components which perform vital functions for your vehicle.
Why Is Water Coming From Exhaust?
No matter what size of vehicle you drive, your vehicle emits a number of gases like carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. All these gases are burnt through the chemical process of combustion. In the process of combustion, when fuel reacts with oxygen, the products are carbon dioxide and water (in the form of vapours).
To put it briefly, one of the products of combustion is water vapour which is then condensed into liquid water which drips out from the vehicle’s exhaust in the form of water droplets. In chemical parlance, condensation is the reverse of vaporization in which a substance in the gaseous state is converted into liquid state.
Other Causes Of Water Coming Out of Exhaust
Now that you know that an excessive amount of water pouring out of the exhaust is indicative of a faulty exhaust system, the question arises that when you should be concerned about water leaking from the exhaust. Here we have listed the causes of water coming out of the exhaust, which is indicative of a faulty exhaust system.
Malfunctioning Piston
A piston is responsible for pushing the emissions from the outlet valve whilst the inlet valve is closed. If the piston is not working properly, the hazardous gases would accumulate inside the exhaust causing it to disrupt the efficiency of the piston as well as the exhaust. As a result, the water levels dripping from the exhaust would be more than the normal level.
Faulty Head Gasket
As your car overheats, the efficiency of components of the vehicle starts to deteriorate. One vital component in a car that is damaged because of overheating is the head gasket, which is responsible for preventing fluids like coolants or oil from entering into the cycle. As a result of a blown head gasket, these fluids slide into the cylinder thereby damaging the car exhaust causing it to function abnormally.
Defective Connecting Pipe
This pipe is responsible for transmitting the emissions from the beginning of the exhaust to other components of the exhaust until it reaches the end. If the connecting pipe is not in working order, the emission of gases wouldn’t be possible. As a result, whenever you drive your vehicle, the gases which were supposed to be emitted will accumulate inside the exhaust which would ultimately cause the exhaust system to malfunction.
How to Fix a Faulty Exhaust System?
One easy way to fix a faulty exhaust system is to wrap the holes in your exhaust after cleaning it with a brush to prevent rust or corrosion and removing water in the exhaust. If the leakage of water is due to a faulty piston, head gasket or connecting pipe, you need to consult a professional to get them fixed or replaced.
Although this method can help you fix a faulty exhaust system at home, it is always better to seek help from a professional if there is a major problem like those mentioned above. A car mechanic may charge around AED 500 to AED 800 depending on the extent of the leak.
Moreover, as the exhaust emits hazardous carbon monoxide, it is also recommended that drivers install a carbon monoxide detector in their vehicles to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning in cars. Even after this, if the water is coming from the car exhaust, the only option at your disposal is to completely replace the leaking part with a new one.
If you are looking to buy an exhaust system or any of its components, dubizzle has a large collection of automobile accessories. In addition to this, it also has a vast variety of used cars for sale in the UAE.
To learn more about common car issues and their causes, stay tuned to UAE’s leading auto blog.
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