Hi guys,
I'm wondering whether any of you have observed this problem? I noticed yesterday that I had a pool of relatively clear water under the left rear of my car. On closer inspection, I could see it was leaking from the flange where the left exhaust pipe enters the muffler (i.e. on the engine side of the muffler, not the outlet side at the back).

This seemed really weird to me, that a substantial amount of water was exiting on that side, and how the heck it got there. Phoning my local service department, they told me that they felt it was quite regular for engines to produce water through the exhaust system, and that it was quite normal. I questioned why only on one side, and how the water was being produced. They said something about heating and condensation, but I explained I had observed this on 3 cold starts. He assured me there was no issue.

I also noted that there must also be gases exiting the same joint as it's not a tight seal, and again, he said that's no issue to worry about.

It just seems odd to me.

Any thoughts or similar experiences? Photo and quick video file attached if you're interested

Cheers,
Oz

 

The water is normal. Not sure about why only on one side.

Cheers
DD

 

OzRisk,
Yes, normal to produce water during cold startup. I'm old school and will taste fluids to confirm what's coming off the bottom of the car, in this case to make certain it is not coolant.(used to do this in chem-lab as well and obviously still alive, but missing some brain cells). The reason one side rather than the other is probably because the flange is properly sealed on the other side and the water is pooling in the muffler where it eventually steams off.The leaking flange (not normal) should be properly sealed.

 

Back in the day it was common to see mufflers with drain holes so the water wouldn't pool in the muffler.

Cheers
DD

 

Mine does it also just on the drivers side leaves a black soot when it dries.

 

Exactly the same - black soot but apart from that, the water seems clean.

Thanks for your feedback guys - big club day on this weekend and was worried I was about to have leave the Jag and take the wife's car!

 

People have posted this before, normal was the verdict. Also, pooled water will be more likely to leak from a reasonably well sealed exhaust joint compared to relatively low density gas moving at some velocity, imho. So probably no problem at all, even the leak, in fact it may be better that it leaks rather than being retained and corroding.

 

yep i saw this the other day too, had washed the car and let it sit for a few days

i assume that since the exhaust tips are angled up, there would be a water drainage hole at the bottom

 

The water itself is normal coming off a cold engine. It probably should be blowing out the back, but not a big deal. Not worth a special trip to the dealer, but you could mention it on your next scheduled maintenance and they can reseal. Enjoy!

 

This has been discussed before.

It's is completely normal if the spots you are referring to are located in the same area:

Black sooty spot under my R coupe - Jaguar Forums - Jaguar Enthusiasts Forum

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/f...t-what-125605/

 

I had my rearmost muffler off yesterday and a bunch of water poured out. Quite a bit.... Not cool! Today I was thinking what TO DO about it...

I was thinking I would go home after work and drill a small hole at the lowest point in the muffler so the water can drip out.

I don't always drive long enough for the water to get hot enough to evap off.

What do y'all think of a small hole???

 

Typically we call small holes in the exhaust before the exit, an exhaust leak.

 

LOL

That said, a really small hole wouldn't hurt anything.

Some other makes' OEM muffler parts include drain holes for condensation from the factory.

 

Yeah, I did it... Worked immediately... No new noises... Or unintended effects. I'm pleased...
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