Last Updated on December 9, 2021
The internal combustion engine of a vehicle emits exhaust gases during its combustion process. It would be bad if those gases were to stay in the engine which is why cars are built with an exhaust system.
This is basically piping that allows the exhaust gases to flow out from the engine. The piping leads the exhaust gases all the way through the tailpipe and out into the atmosphere.
Sometimes you will notice water coming out of the tailpipe. This means that water is coming from your exhaust system for some reason. You don’t necessarily have to panic when this happens because it doesn’t always mean there is a problem.
You just need to understand all the possible reasons for why there would be water coming out of the exhaust. That way, you can recognize the signs for what they are. If it does happen to be serious, then you will be able to tell on your own before taking it to a mechanic.
Read Also: 6 Reasons Why Oil is Coming Out of Your Exhaust
Top 5 Causes of Water Coming Out of Your Tailpipe
#1 – Engine Water Condensation
When your engine goes through the internal combustion process, there are various pollutants that form. The three main pollutants are water vapor, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide.
As the exhaust gases are leaving the chamber, the carbon dioxide and water are getting mixed together. The more the engine cools down, the water condensation in the exhaust becomes visible to those from the outside.
The tailpipe will have small drips of water coming out of it. When this happens, you have nothing to worry about. The water drips should stop within a couple minutes once the vehicle is warmed up.
#2 – Hot Engine
Your engine will generate the most heat when you first start your car. The oil in the engine still needs time to flow and lubricate the components to cool them down. But, while the engine is hot, the exhaust system will be hot as well.
This will create water vapor in the exhaust if the temperature outside is cold. As a result, water droplets will come out of the tailpipe for a couple of minutes and then clear up. If they don’t clear up, then it could mean big trouble.
#3 – Catalytic Converter
Every car has a component called a catalytic converter. This component lowers the amount of toxic gas emissions being emitted from the exhaust system. That way, the emissions are not as harmful to the environment or people.
During the conversion process, traces of water vapor are produced. This will result in water droplets falling out of the tailpipe which again should go away on its own and perfectly normal.
#4 – Head Gasket Failure
The first three reasons listed here are generally no cause for concern. The time when you should start worrying is if the water coming from your exhaust is caused by blown head gaskets.
Blown head gaskets will often manifest as white smoke coming out of the tailpipe. You may also notice air bubbling in the coolant reservoir and overheating issues. This issue should be addressed sooner rather than later. An overheating engine can cause all sorts of issues, and may even leave you stranded.
#5 – Bad Pistons or Rings
A bad piston or worn piston rings will generally not cause water out of the tailpipe unless the head gaskets are also blown, or there is residual condensation in the exhaust system. However, bad pistons or rings will cause excessive blow by, which could create sooty exhaust, blue smoke, or oily residue around the tailpipe.
As with blown head gaskets, you don’t want to let this one go too long without a repair, either.
Conclusion
Most of these reasons are due to water vapor effects. If it is cold outside in your environment, your tailpipe and the other components of your vehicle are going to be cold. This means that the heat generated from your engine while it is running will cause water condensation to form wherever there is water vapor present.
Since water vapor is commonly found in the exhaust system, then this is why so much of the water condensation flows out of the tailpipe.
Your pistons and rings are not what’s causing water vapor to come out of your exhaust no matter what. What you mean is, your head gasket is bad that’s the only reason why water should be getting into your exhaust other than normal, than normal condensation.
Good catch, thanks. You are correct: in the case of bad rings, it would actually be oil coming out of the exhaust, not water. I’ve updated the article.
If I have a blown head gasket then wouldn’t my oil be milky?
Not necessarily. It depends on how the head gasket is leaking. I have had a blown head gasket without any symptoms other than occasional overheating.
Is that something to be worried about?
Water vapor from the exhaust? Usually no. Head gasket failure? Usually yes.
So I have to ask where all of my coolant goes?
Not in the oil Pan nor tans pan
Bubbles and pressure from a cool system
Engine clatters and loses power
Have I went too far with my problems?
I’m not sure I understand. It’s probably best to bring it to a shop for a diagnosis of the issue.
You have a clog in your coolant system and the water is escaping as a vapor through your radiator cap. More than likely your radiator is clogged up from too much water and not enough antifreeze in the system
Just had a blown head gasket in January2021, the cylinder head was replaced and the car was driving well, now excessive water is coming from the exhaust when I start the car, I checked the oil cap it looks ok. What could it be? Its a BMW 318 face lift 2002
I don’t know. Under some conditions it’s perfectly normal to see a bit of water coming from the exhaust. White smoke would be cause for concern. If you’re worried the head gasket has blown a second time, you could do a leak down test to help you confirm this.
If its like 5 degrees celsius and quite moist out not raining, could that cause water leaking from my exhaust? I didn’t wait to see if it went away because it felt like gas on my hand but didn’t smell like it, smelt like nothing.
Yes, this is probably not a cause for concern.
Mine is, I usually observe vapour and water dripping from the tailpipe particularly when the weather is cold. I also feel if oil is coming out as well but I haven’t observed such anyway
Steam like vapor from tailpipe old car 2000 Atos had headjob piston rings changed not coverheating no cracks seen but still vapor smoke cno smell and drops of water from exhaust what can it be?
A little bit of water from the exhaust is normal and no cause for concern. Does it look like smoke?
I have a F150. A year ago had the trans rebuilt. Just after that was having issues with running very rough. Took to a local shop and replaced everything ‘running’ related. Turns out it was bad gas from being parked for so long. Dropped the tank and emptied almost all the bad gas. Reinstalled tank and filled it with premium and octane booster and stabilizer. Start it once a week and sometimes on the road. A couple of weeks ago started running very rough, even more than usual. This morning started it up to run and noticed ‘drainage’ out of various joints in the exhaust system and I mean drainage. Felt clean, no oil, no antifreeze and no smell. What’s up?
I’m not sure. Are they coming out of joints in the exhaust like you have an exhaust leak and water is leaking out of the holes? I’m not sure I understand.
when I rase my car in the morning smoke is coming out ,and water is still coming out of it, but when is working the smoke we disappear
Is it cold outside? Sometimes vehicles appear to smoke a bit when it’s cold outside just because of the condensation. It could just be the hot exhaust interacting with the cold air around it.
If you’re worried the smoke is excessive, it won’t hurt to have the vehicle inspected.
Water dripping out of where my exhaust pipe where they come together as one. Dripping fairly heavy. Something I need to be concerned about ?
Sounds like you may have an exhaust leak, for water to drip out of the middle of the exhaust like that. Are you sure it isn’t water coming from above the exhaust and following the curvature of the exhaust pipes?
Best to get it checked out so you know for sure.
i have a slightly smoky exhaust with white fumes whenever i start the car and it disappears with time. there are few drops of water leaking out of the tail pipe as well occasionally. don’t know if it calls for concern
It’s probably not cause for concern if that is the only odd thing you notice, especially if it is cold outside. I would be more concerned if the car was also overheating, running low on coolant, or losing oil.
I have a Hyundai getz that is spraying water out of the exhaust :(. I believe the head gasket was welded before I bought the car. The car has given endless problems, from jerking, to cutting out, to not starting. Now the problem is to start it and when it does start the water comes gushing out the exhaust. What do I do?
Is there any white smoke, or just water? If you see water alone, it does not necessarily mean there is anything wrong with the car. The best thing you can do is have a mechanic look at the car in person. It’s hard to describe how much water you’re seeing over the internet.
I adjust timing polo 1.6i now it dont idel and petrol smell
Double check your work, and make sure it is timed according to factory specifications. Sounds like some of the fuel isn’t burning completely because the timing is off.
Hi it’s my daughter s car ford focus 1.00 ltr eco boost. Running hot loosing water through exhaust expansion tank level dropping no leaks anywhere except exhaust
Is the car overheating? Any white smoke? You can do a leak down test to help narrow down where you’re losing water. Could be a head gasket failure. I don’t know for sure if the intake manifold has water jackets on this model, but if it does you could just need a new intake manifold gasket.
Probably best to take the car in, have a shop take a look and see what they say.