I drove the Max for about 5 miles to the gas station today. While filling up, I noticed a puddle of water about 8 inches in diameter under the car. There was water dripping from the front of the muffler.

I know that there is moisture in the exhaust system, but I've never seen it coming out of the muffler. I have 26,000 miles on the car and the stock exhaust with the exception of a resonated straight pipe. When I got home, about 15 miles later, nothing was dripping.

Anybody notice this on their car? Is it normal?

 

Normal, but you can drill about a 1/16 to 3/32" dia. hole using a cobalt drill in the bottom of the muffler at both end cap flanges to eliminate it.

 

Drilling 2 holes will stop the water from dripping out? I'm not understanding that. Can you explain a bit?

 

the water is from humidity/lack of ventiallation in the muffler.... i've never had that problem, but it seems like it would work to alleviate humidity, et air flowing, possibly alter muffler sound, not sure

 

The water is actually a product of the reaction that takes place when you burn a hydrocarbon such as gasoline, the products are carbon dioxide and water, which both exit through the exhaust....... in most cases the water is vaporized but it will condense in some cases ie at the gas station with the car off just after it has been driven................

Exit the nerd patrol.............

WHEELMAN

 

Thanks, guys.

Now the whole thing about the hole thing makes sense. (there's gotta be some kind of gramatical term for that sentence...)

 

Drilling one or two holes is strickly to allow any moisture to quickly drain out. There is positive pressure in the muffler with the engine running and the moisture will "spit" out of the hole/s especially on warmup and short trips. Some manufacturers put usually one hole in the stock muffler. My previous GM had one at the front end of the muffler (go figure!), and I drilled another one at the aft end of it. Not long after I bought my 00 Maxi I had come home after a long drive, (which should have vaporized any moisture) and decided I would drill the two aformentioned holes because on my "acceptance" inspection I had noticed no drain holes in the stock muffler. The car was slightly front end high, and as the drill broke through into the "guts" of the muffler, about 2 or 3 ozs. of "water" pissed onto the ground, which really surprised me. These mufflers may "hold" moisture because they are way back at the back end of the exhaust and are relatively cool, not allowing the moisture to be vaporized off. Thus the drain hole/s.

 

Thanks Samson. I'll probably drill those holes. Seems like it couldn't hurt.