Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

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Dec 31, 2002 | 04:05 PM

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From: Republic of Texas

Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

This morning I tightened up my header bolts and went over the whole engine. A clamp on my orp was loose, so I tightened it. Then I started up the engine for the first time today. I looked underneath to see if I had any exhaust leaks. Where the Y clamps to the headers (both sides), there was water dripping/spraying out. Not alot, but enough to form tiny puddles. It had no coolant smell, and was clear. After a few minutes it stopped. My radiator is full. I let it cool off for a few hours, started it back up, and no water. What could it be, condensation in the block or something?

Dec 31, 2002 | 04:26 PM

Fbody Man

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Re: Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

That is usually normal and one of the signs of a good running engine

Dec 31, 2002 | 05:01 PM

Trevor @ Texas Speed & Perf.

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Re: Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

This isn't anything to be alarmed about. It's not uncommon, particularly when it's cold out. My car sat for a while over the holidays and did the same thing when I fired it up on Saturday. It's just some condensation.

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Dec 31, 2002 | 05:08 PM

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Re: Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

Thanks, that's kinda what I thought since I didn't smell coolant.

Dec 31, 2002 | 05:15 PM

SixPak

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Re: Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

I've been told by people much smarter than myself that an internal combustion engine that burns fossil fuel produces approximately one gallon of water out the tail pipe for every gallon of fuel consumed. this is probably more noticable in colder climates where condensation of water vapors in the exhaust systems occur more frequently. I always make sure that there is a tiny hole on my mufflers at the rear and bottom backside, about 1/8" dia, to keep water from collecting and rotting them out. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
on the other hand if you are seeing water dripping from joints in your exhaust system, this means you have a leak and probably need to seal it if there is a posslbilty it will affect your O2 sensors.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Dec 31, 2002 | 05:21 PM

edss01

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Re: Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

This is why when you store the car you should do more than just start it up and run for little bit.You should drive it to make sure all the moisture is out of the system.

Dec 31, 2002 | 05:28 PM

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Re: Small amount of water out of pipes on cold startup?

<blockquote>quote:<hr />Originally posted by SixPak:
 on the other hand if you are seeing water dripping from joints in your exhaust system, this means you have a leak and probably need to seal it if there is a posslbilty it will affect your O2 sensors.
<img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" /> <hr /></blockquote>Yeah, my clamps aren't as good as I thought. Need to find some better ones.