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#1 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
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Hi guys
Got a bit of a weird one I’d like to run past you. Recently I changed the water pump, radiator and thermostat on the old mans AU III Egas ute. As I didn’t have any coolant on hand, I filled up with rain water (which had been filtered). While checking for leaks, I found water (well what I thought was water) slowly dripping out of a hole in the exhaust (ie where the pipe first enters the muffler). I thought “Damn, the old mans done his head gasket”. After bleeding the cooling system, I took the ute for a drive. All was working well. A week later, I was back working on the old mans ute; this time I was doing the transmission service. After taking the car for a decent drive, I left the car running, and popped my head underneath to do one final inspection, checking for leaks around the transmission pan. I then noticed there was still water dripping out of that hole in the exhaust. The thing is, the water was pretty cool, not even lukewarm. I checked (and rechecked) that the car was at operating temp. The temp gauge was reading in the correct place (needle sitting at “O”), the thermo fans were both running, and the exhaust was hot to touch. I haven't had a chance to run a compression test; that's next on the list. Do you think this is still a coolant leak, or something else? |
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#2 | ||
Fossil fuel consumer
![]() Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mod For: Pub, Bar, Sales Yard, Show 'N Shine, Photoshop, AU to BF, FG to FGX, Territory & Sports Bar
Posts: 17,038
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first step would be to put coolant in the header tank, which will answer the question pretty quickly.
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#3 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sunshine Coast
Posts: 236
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Cool water can come from the aircon drain and also the gas convertor.
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#4 | |||
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,292
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#5 | ||||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
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Quote:
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#6 | ||
Banned
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,290
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Falling onto the exhaust somehwre then running down and dripping off?
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#7 | ||
FORD FANATIC
Join Date: May 2011
Location: qld
Posts: 171
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its condensation mate. Every car will do it to a certain extent, depending on ambient temp
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#8 | |||
Fossil fuel consumer
![]() Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mod For: Pub, Bar, Sales Yard, Show 'N Shine, Photoshop, AU to BF, FG to FGX, Territory & Sports Bar
Posts: 17,038
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#9 | |||
Mr Hoon
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 450
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#10 | |||
Fossil fuel consumer
![]() Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mod For: Pub, Bar, Sales Yard, Show 'N Shine, Photoshop, AU to BF, FG to FGX, Territory & Sports Bar
Posts: 17,038
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#11 | ||
Mr Hoon
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 450
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Hence why i agreed with respec#78
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#12 | ||||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
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Quote:
As of yet I haven’t used proper coolant, only water. The reason being if the head gasket is gone, I’d have to drain the cooling system to remove the head (yes a dumb reason not to use coolant I know!!!) But you’re 100% correct: If I did use the proper coolant, I’d know for certain if it’s a coolant leak or condensation. Quote:
I mean, don't get me wrong...I'd be very happy if it was simply condensation, and not a blown head gasket... Last edited by saber; 14-03-2012 at 01:37 PM. |
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#13 | ||
Former BTIKD
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Sunny Downtown Wagga Wagga. NSW.
Posts: 53,197
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I'm with the condensation crowd.
Try taking the car for a good 1/2 hour drive, then see if anything is coming out. If it was anything serious like a head gasket there would be steam coming out of the exhaust and bubbles in the cooling system. Trust me on this, I had a V12 Jag where the left tailpipe looked like a normal internal combustion engine and the right looked like a steam engine ![]()
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Dying at your job is natures way of saying that you're in the wrong line of work.
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#14 | ||
Flairs - Truckers Delight
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brisbane Northside Likes: Opposite Lock
Posts: 5,731
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Isn't that what the catalytic converter is there to do? Convert some of the noxious gases to (amongst other things), water?
Isn't that the main reason why exhaust systems 'wear out'? Because they rust from the water by-product from the process the catalytic converter undertakes?
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Current: Silhouette Black 2007 SY Ford Territory TX RWD 7-seater "Black Banger"
2006-2016: Regency Red 2000 AUII Ford Falcon Forte Automatic Sedan Tickford LPG "Millennium Falcon" |
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#15 | ||
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 9,292
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If you think its the head gasket leaking water (coolant) explain how the water comes out of the exhaust cold when the engine and exhaust is at operating temp.
Its most likely the aircon drain or condensation. |
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#16 | |||
Mr Hoon
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Sydney
Posts: 450
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#17 | ||||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
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Quote:
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I found an interesting article on areas to check to determine if you’ve done a head gasket. I’ll definitely be checking the exhaust manifold this weekend!!! http://autofix.com.au/blog/ef-el-hea...n-problem-area |
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#18 | ||
FORD FANATIC
Join Date: May 2011
Location: qld
Posts: 171
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the cat changes nox and carbon monoxide and other nasties to a more safe carbon dioxide. it can produce moisture but the moisture in your exhaust is from hot exhaust gases hitting the cooler exhuast pipe and cooler outside air temp, producing condensation. Nothing to be concerned about....
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#19 | ||
FORD FANATIC
Join Date: May 2011
Location: qld
Posts: 171
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Besides, if you are really concerned about the head gasket. Get a "sniffer" test done on your cooling system. If theres a leak it will show up on the test. the test uses a tube with dye in it, which changes colour when exhaust gas is detected
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#20 | ||
All Bran = Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: BrizVegas
Posts: 1,970
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As has been said numerous times it's condensation. Every car I've ever had has done it.
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#21 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 957
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Thanks guys for all your help and suggestions.
I’ll do more testing (hopefully) on the weekend. Thinking of using proper coolant to see if the drips from the hole in the exhaust changes colour, a compression test, checked the exhaust manifold (as per the above link) and a head gasket testers (if the above 3 tests indicate a head gasket leak). Hopefully it’s just condensation, and not a head gasket leak! Anybody know where I can purchase a compression tester? Been meaning to buy one for a while, but unsure where to pick one up. |
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#22 | ||
All Bran = Regular Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: BrizVegas
Posts: 1,970
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Autopro, supercheap, Burson's, They'll all have them.
I think my new one cost me $40 from Autopro. edit: Here you go... google is your friend http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/sea...ression+tester
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