Is It Dangerous for Car Exhaust to Emit Water?

While warming up the car, did you suddenly see water dripping from the exhaust? Water coming out of the car's exhaust is a common phenomenon experienced by some car owners. This condition can sometimes be confusing and often makes car owners worry that there is damage or a leak in the car's engine. 

Friends don't need to panic just yet. Water coming out of the car's exhaust is not always a sign that the car is having problems. There are several possibilities that cause water droplets to come out of the car's exhaust. 

1. Condensation in the exhaust pipe

Condensation or the dew process usually occurs after the car has been parked overnight. This process occurs in the exhaust pipe because the material is made of iron. 

When the engine is started, a heating or evaporation process occurs. The push from the hot temperature is what triggers the dew or water droplets to come out of the exhaust pipe. 

2. Cold weather and parking duration

If the water droplets coming out are quite a lot, what could be the reason? It is likely influenced by the weather and also the duration the car has been parked. The colder the surrounding temperature and the longer the car is parked, the more condensation or dew is likely to accumulate. 

3. Water puddles and car washing

In addition to the two factors above, friends should also remember what kind of roads they passed yesterday. If you frequently pass through water puddles or just washed the car, the condition of water droplets coming out of the exhaust is also considered normal. This is because the water can get trapped in the muffler and cannot possibly enter the car's engine. That is why the water that comes out when the car is warmed up tends to be a lot. 

4. Water droplets and thin smoke

The release of water droplets accompanied by thin white smoke from the exhaust when the car is just warmed up is also considered normal. This is also a natural effect of condensation, so friends do not need to worry. 

As in the chemical formula, perfect combustion will produce water or H2O and carbon dioxide or CO2. At normal temperatures, H2O will evaporate, and in this case, the vapor will exit to the exhaust as waste from the combustion process. 

Generally, water droplets from the exhaust will disappear on their own after the car is driven and used as usual. The easiest way to deal with this condition is to warm up the car and wait for the water droplets to stop. If no more water comes out, it means the water that entered the muffler has been completely used up. 

Actually, as long as this condition does not interfere with the engine's performance, then condensation and water deposits in the muffler or exhaust pipe do not affect the engine's performance at all. 

It's a different story if the white smoke is quite thick and you have passed through a flood until the car stalled. The white smoke released may be a mixture of oil that has burned in the engine's combustion chamber. 

If you encounter such a problem, it is better to take the car to your trusted workshop for immediate inspection. Because the release of smoke from the car could be a sign that the vehicle is having problems. 

Friends need not worry anymore after knowing the factors causing the car's exhaust to release water. After understanding the above points, you should pay more attention to the vehicle you own. 

Warming up the car every day before using it for activities is the best way to take care of your beloved car. Make sure the car undergoes optimal combustion before use. It is also necessary to perform regular servicing to keep the car in prime condition. 

Read also: Black Exhaust Smoke: Identify the Causes and How to Overcome It

Author: Dinno Baskoro