Hello folks. I drive a ’91 245 with 250K. Lately I noticed excessive moisture that comes out of the exhaust pipe. When I park it for a while on the dry pavement, for instance, even after the motor is well warmed up, there would be a wet spot on the ground where the pipe “spits out” (…literary) the water (or like substance). Coolant level is fine and it never over heats. It recently had a exhaust sys replaced with a new rear muffler and no front resonator…worn out Cat. What could cause this? Is this normal?.....couldn’t possibly be….HELP! Thanks in advance!

Sounds normal to me. I live in a suburb of Los Angeles and all my cars (including my '92 240) drip condensation from the exhaust. You only need to be alarmed if the radiator coolant is being consumed or if steam is billowing out of your tailpipe like an old-fashioned locomotive. It is completely normal, don't worry about it.

bearlymuven

This sounds normal in cold weather. If the car runs fine and you are not losing massive amounts of coolant, you are dealing with exhaust condensation that normally occurs in cold climates. Contrary to popular belief, this is why your typical exhaust system lasts twice as long in the Southern US vs. the North... condensation, not road salt!

It's normal, but you notice it more in cold weather. Water is a combustion product of an efficiently-running engine.

Actually it is a by-product of a properly working catalytic converter and an engine management system that is in fuel control. The combustion process will not make water but a cat will combine loose hydrogen and oxygen to make water and in a perfect world it is supposed to combine the loose carbon molecules as well to make carbonated water, darn thing makes Perrier!!
Take a look at some of your late model big V8's those things do more than "spit" water out. I've noticed them pulling away from the stop lights and pretty much gush water out the tail pipes.

Mark

The primary products of the oxidation reaction (burning) of a hydrocarbon are carbon dioxide and water, regardless of whether that oxidation occurs in the cylinder or in the oxidation end of the catalytic converter.
C#H# + #O2 => #CO2 + #H20
Hopefully, 99%+ of this oxidation reaction occurs in the cylinder, so that is where nearly all of the water is formed.