Is Water Coming Out Of Your Tailpipe While Running? Here’s Why

Water coming out of your tailpipe is not always a cause of concern, but there are times it’s a symptom of a serious problem. That’s why it pays to know when to disregard water running out of the tailpipe and when to take your vehicle to an auto repair shop.

3 Normal Reasons Why Water Runs Out of the Tailpipe

It’s normal for water to run out of the tailpipe due to condensation during combustion, catalytic converter water vapors, and engine heat. Let’s look at each reason in detail:

Water Condensation During Combustion

Combustion naturally produces water vapor, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. As the exhaust gas moves out of the tailpipe, carbon dioxide mixes with water, causing water to leak from the tailpipe.

This isn’t something to be alarmed about. The leak should stop as soon as your engine warms up. If the water drip doesn’t stop after a few minutes, you might be dealing with a complicated issue.

Catalytic Converter Operation

Your catalytic converter reduces the pollutants that your engine produces before entering the atmosphere from the tailpipe. As it turns toxic gas into less harmful emissions, it also creates water molecules. That’s why it’s normal for traces of water vapor to come out of your tailpipe.

There’s nothing wrong with your catalytic converter when this happens, and you can expect the water vapors to stop after a few minutes. Take note that in some situations it might take a bit longer for the water vapors to disappear. That’s because your engine can take longer to warm up in colder temperatures.

Engine Heat

You might notice water droplets coming out of your tailpipe during cold winter months. To operate in the cold, your engine generates a lot of heat. Condensation usually takes place because the temperature outside is low, resulting in water droplets coming out of your tailpipe.

The water droplets coming out of your tailpipe because of engine heat should stop coming out of the tailpipe after a few minutes. Otherwise, it’s time to take a trip to an auto repair shop.

2 Alarming Reasons Why Water Runs Out of the Tailpipe

Although it’s normal to see droplets of water on your tailpipe most of the time, there are some instances when it can mean something is wrong with your engine.

Bad Head Gasket

The head gasket seals your engine’s combustion chambers to avoid compression loss. However, like other engine components, it can fail due to several reasons, like engine overheating.

White smoke could come out of your tailpipe when the head gasket fails. Water droplets in the tailpipe are another symptom. You can read our article on the symptoms of a bad head gasket to learn more about the issue.

Faulty Pistons and Worn-out Piston Rings

Bad piston and piston rings won’t cause water to come out of your tailpipe on its own. They will if you have a blown head gasket. The moisture can also be due to residual condensation in the engine.

Although water on your tailpipe won’t be an issue, expect to deal with oily residue once your piston and piston rings are bad. These faulty components can cause excessive blow by, which means the combustion gases or pressure is now leaking into the crankcase.

What Does It Mean if Black Water Is Coming Out Of My Tailpipe?

It’s also normal to see black-colored moisture on your tailpipe. The water droplets from condensation might have mixed with carbon deposits.

However, if you notice a lot of carbon residue, a failed component might be causing it. Take your ride to an auto repair shop right away once this happens.

Also, you have to take your ride to a repair shop if there’s excessive water coming out of your tailpipe or you notice black smoke—which can be a sign that your engine is running too rich.

What to Consider Before Going to a Mechanic

If water is coming out of your tailpipe, consider the following factors to determine if you’re dealing with something serious:

Smoke Color

Check if there’s unusual smoke coming out of your tailpipe. Observe its color and thickness. Blue smoke, for example, could mean that oil or other substance is mixed with the fuel inside your engine. It can also indicate a leak.

Smell

Pay attention to unusual smells coming out of your exhaust. For example, a sweet smell can indicate that your coolant is leaking.

Liquid’s Consistency

If the liquid is too greasy, it might be because it is mixed with oil or unburnt fuel. Take note of these things, and share all your observations with your mechanic.

On higher mileage vehicles, you won’t be able to replace the head gasket. You’ll need to have the engine replaced to fix the issue.

–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician

Get Replacement Head Gaskets With Ease Online

A leaking head gasket is a major issue that you’ll need to address immediately or else you risk damaging your engine. Luckily, CarParts.com is a trusted source when it comes to parts like head gaskets.

CarParts.com has a wide range of head gaskets from only the top manufacturers in the industry, ensuring that they’re durable and can perform reliably for years. Use our vehicle selector and enter your vehicle’s year, make, and model to see only compatible parts. Once you place your order, you don’t have to wait too long for it to arrive, thanks to our strategically located warehouses around the US.

Don’t wait for your head gasket to fail completely. Check out our selection of head gasket sets and cylinder head gaskets at CarParts.com and order yours today!