OK, it is a small issue, but.......
On my 2012 XKR-S over the last several months I have noted two small (3" diameter) stains on my garage floor. While they are easily cleaned up they are irksome none the less.
Investigation revealed that it was from water leaking from the exhaust pipes at the point where they are clamped together just under the rear suspension.

On the just completed 36 month service (20k mile) I took the attached photos to the dealer, explained the issue, and received the following (seemingly very condescending to me) response on the (no charge) invoice: "No fault found. This is normal operation of a combustion engine as the gases combust and get released from the vehicles catalyst as temperatures cool the stream that is leaving the exhaust condenses down to a liquid which is what the customer is seeing. This is completely normal operation of all combustion engines."

I understand the basic point of water as a by product of combustion, but feel that it should not be leaking from the exhaust system in this way, but rather exiting as vapor thru the tail pipes. Am I way off base? Do others have this same issue? Would you complain to the service manager? Thanks for any advice.

 

I have the identical black stain marks at the rear exhaust where it connects over the differential. I noticed it when I purchased the car 8 months ago in PA in the winter. I had the car up on the lift and noticed the black water collecting where the exhaust pipes connected and a few drops on the floor. I questioned the service writer to make sure there were clamps in place and that they were tight. I don't get any dripping once I got the car back to Florida due to the heat and lack of condensation. To me I don't think it's a big deal, but I agree that the pipes should be tight enough to keep the condensation from leaking anywhere other than the tailpipes.

 

If big molecules of water are able to leak, aren't exhaust gases even more likely to leak ahead of the rear mufflers? Doesn't seem right to me.

 

That was my first thought.... I would think that you could get a muffler shop to disassemble and use an exhaust paste on the joints.

It could be self sealing as it heat up I suppose...

 

Yes, a muffler shop is an option. However, when I start thinking of any of these franchise muffler shops putting their hands on my exhaust system and taking it apart, I would probably consider the other option of carbon monoxide poisoning...lol

 

That's why they make drip trays!
Older Jags drip oil; now it's just water! that's a big improvement in my opinion.................

Cheers, Adrian

 

This is 100% normal and noticeable especially on larger displacement motors. My GTO used to leave a trail of water running down the driveway if left running.

 

Same with my cars.
Lawrence

 

+1

 

I don't think I've ever owned a car that *didn't* drip water from the exhaust....either out the tail pipe or from a joint. Some actually have had drain holes in the mufflers just for the purpose of draining off the condensate.

Cheers
DD

 

Sorta like this?

(skip to 4:44 on the timer if you want)


Cheers
DD

 

Doug,
Who can look at the dripping exhaust when a 1969 GTO is on the screen? The 1968 GTO (essentially the same exterior with the previous model's interior) is my favorite automobile of all time. Thanks for a great video link. (And by the way, I've got a 1968 Verduro Green hardtop)

 

I don't think the original post was referring to the amount of condensation the car produces but more that it was leaking out of one of the exhaust connections rather than out the tail pipe.