Could this indicate a problem?

I read somewhere that it is common and nothing to worry about unless the amount of water coming out is like a steam.

I can't really say whether or not there is a stream of water coming out but I notice a small puddle of water present under the exhaust pretty much every time after I park and turn off the car.

I also smelled it and didn't detect any strange or sweet odors.

This just seems weird though. I have never had this occur with any other vehicles I've owned in the past.

Any insight welcome, thanks

 

when gasoline is completely burned with oxygen, the result of combustion includes water vapor (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2). especially when the exhaust system is cold, a fair amount of that water vapor condenses in the mufflers and dribbles through the drain holes and/or sputters out the tail pipe. virtually all cars do this.

 

if your fluid levels are fine, then its not any kind of internal issue. Normally on cold mornings you will see the exhaust spit water too, thats completely normal due to condensation and like the above post stated.

 

Thanks for the replies. Yes, fluid levels are fine, though we know the car needs some uogrades and a tune-up besides the cracked engine mounts we just had replaced...

On another note, anyone know what the rusty part (tube/pipe right above the oil filter) in the picture I uploaded in this reply is ? It looks really bad and like it should be replaced asap.

 

looks like the heater pipe. goes from the water pump towards the firewall where it connects to the heater hose that goes through the firewall to the heater core. its actually the return line from the heater core, the hot water comes out a fitting on the back of the head and into the other side of the heater core.

 

I see in the photo that your preheat hose from the exhaust manifold is apparently intact... if that's true you should make sure the flapper door in the air box works. If that flapper door fails ( and they do) in the position that let's in the hot air it can "cook" your maf sensor. Maf sensor can be am expensive part to replace.

 

many folks use a bit of bailing wire to tie that flap permanently closed. its only useful in extremely cold weather.

 

Indeed they do. As for myself I just took the preheat hose off.

 

Do note, the preheat hose is a visual inspection check item in California smog tests. They do NOT check the flap.

 

Thanks Pierce.

It seems that anytime I hear something about life in California I have another reason to be glad I'm in Ohio.