7 replies to this topic

[Juan Pineda]

So I recently noticed that more than the normal amount of moisture comes out of the tailpipe of my 99. While idling, it seems to spit out of the exhaust outlet and leaves a puddle of water under it. At first I thought it was just the colder winter temps (~50 degrees in NorCal!) and usual moisture in the exhaust. But I don't think so considering the amount of moisture.

 

So I'm thinking the engine must be ingesting coolant. I'm thinking it's either a head gasket or one of the gasket's or parts on the intake side that are in contact with coolant. The aftermarket temperature gauge reads normal. Overheating on track seems unlikely, but I don't have data to verify. I did over rev the engine to ~9K at one point. (It dyno'ed fine after so I don't think the engine was damaged.) Can't think how an over-rev might have caused a problem.

 

What are the culprits in order of likelihood? And how to diagnose which is the problem?

 

Thanks!

-Juan

 

[ChrisA]

If the water level in your radiator is not going down, than it's just the normal biproduct of combustion. Cooler temps and a cool exhaust allow the water vapor to condense more quickly.

[RazerX]

Hi Juan, 

 

Of course water level should go down if it is ingesting it.  But if you have a leaky head gasket you will see bubbles in the radiator water, especially above idle RPMs.  You can't see them usually in the radiator due to the color or lack there of fluid and the shiny aluminum.  What you can do is use those widemouth funnels, you can get them at Napa for $2 and base is almost the width of the filler neck hole.  I took some electrical tape and wrapped it around the funnel then jammed it into the filler neck so it makes a water tight seal.  Now full the funnel with water so effectively the funnel is 'expanding' your radiator and giving you a broader surface area to look for air bubbles from exhaust gases making their way in from a leak head gasket.  I think there is a you tube video showing this.

 

Of course colder weather and the inclination the car is sitting at start up can 'appear' to create more liquid from the exhaust.  You have an engineer mind..

[Alberto]

Juan,

 

Try doing a cooling system pressure test.  You can rent the tool from the local auto parts store.  Sometimes, the call it a radiator pressure tester.  Attach it in place of the radiator cap and pump it up to 14 psi and look for leaks.

[Juan Pineda]

Thanks for the good suggestions! So would a cylinder leak down test would isolate if the problem was the head gasket? Or would a head gasket leak be so slow that it wouldn't show up?

[SaulSpeedwell]

Hi Juan, 

 

I think it is just the unusual weather conditions - here in Ohio, we get tons of "water" out of the exhaust any time the exhaust isn't hot enough to turn it into "steam" or otherwise dry it out enough so as not to get liquid water out of the tailpipe and leak points. 

 

In contrast, consuming coolant due to head gasket probs will cause a very whitish smoke (thicker than mere water vapor), and you should see weirdness on one or more spark plugs. 

 

A couple weeks ago it was 50 degrees, I started all my various cars, and probably got 2-4 oz of "water" leaking out of each of them.  If I rev them, I get more.  One could argue it is BAD to start cars for this exact reason.

 

My vote:  Nothing wrong, just weather you aren't used to

[RazerX]

Thanks for the good suggestions! So would a cylinder leak down test would isolate if the problem was the head gasket? Or would a head gasket leak be so slow that it wouldn't show up?

 

In theory yes.  But i had a honda that have a very small leak and leak down did not show it.  My theory was 100 psi was not enough pressure to cause it to leak but the 200PSI during running was.  I did a compression test but again the leak down was so small that it only showed 4-5 lbs difference and didn't "call out" it was a problem.  I have also used the exhaust gas tester, $50 from Napa and it confirmed my bubble test.  

[Caveman-kwebb99]

Juan, u live in California where u always in a water shortage... get a catch can and you can water your rock garden with it.