Condesation on Exhaust Pipes?

[V6Maniac]

I noticed in the mornings when it's colder outside than usual that my car will stutter a little when I give it a few revs, the RPMs will go up but then drop immediately back down to 1k. It usually does this for about 3 or 4 good revs then it idles/drives just fine. I also noticed a small amount of water trickle out of my exhaust pipes while I had it running in park. Is this just condensation from the change in weather or is this something I should be worried about?

[AznL32]

Nothing to worry about, I had the same thing happen to me. Actually it still does happen, a little water comes out and then it's gone, I think it's just from the temperature from night to day.

[Backfire]

Water is one of the by products from combustion. When conditions are right and the exhaust is cold, it will condense and show up as liquid dribbling from exhaust. Some vehicles show more of this than others it seems.

[Cale]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Backfire:
Water is one of the by products from combustion. When conditions are right and the exhaust is cold, it will condense and show up as liquid dribbling from exhaust. Some vehicles show more of this than others it seems.<hr></blockquote>

Actually, I believe that the catalytic converter turns the hydrocarbons into water (one of the products) and that is why water will spit out.

[Red2K1]

Agree with Backfire. Until the engine and cat reach operating temperature, you will see water in the exhaust pipes. At operating temperature the water is evaporated before it reaches the end of the exhaust system.

[pvtschultz]

Whenever you oxidize (burn) a hydrocarbon, the byproducts are carbon dioxide and water. But, when you burn a fuel under high pressure, other reactions are forced. Thus creating oxides of nitrogen and sulfur dioxides. That is where the converter comes in to break down the toxins. The converter creates a very high temperature setting that helps the catalyst break down the toxins and burning the rest of the fuel. There is always water vapor exiting the exhaust. Even on non-converter engines.

[Steve Caroccia]

C4H10 + 6.5 O2 = 4 CO2 + 5 H20

(same for C5 and C6 and C7 and C8 and C9 etc.)