Weird problem with my 5.0 van

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abomb69(zerozero)@comcast.net - 22 Aug 2004 17:39 GMT

Yesterday morning, after sitting a week I went to start my van, it started
easily as normal, but when it did it blew out a lot of water from the
exhaust pipe, this water looks like rust and has no antifreeze in it. My
coolant level is full and it is green, so I rulled out a blown head gasket.
Anyone have any suggestions? I have a newer exhaust with no holes in it. It
has rained here the past three days.

Thanks

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Reece Talley - 22 Aug 2004 19:26 GMT

Sounds as if you had a lot of condensation in your exhaust. Preceding the
rain, the weather was no doubt extra humid. This moisture was pulled into
the engine while it ran and exhausted out the back. When you shut the engine
down, moisture was trapped in the system. Adding to this, while the exhaust
was warm/hot, the gasses in the tube and muffler were expanded and of low
density. As the system cooled down, a vacume was created that drew in the
moist outside air. This later condensed in the system and when added to the
preexisting moisture, created the water you saw blown out when you started
the engine. It was rust colored because when water combines with the
hydrogen and sulfur in exhaust gasses, it creates an acid that hastens
rusting.

Signature

R. J. Talley
Teacher/James Madison Fellow
NAR #69594
NRA #133073736

> Yesterday morning, after sitting a week I went to start my van, it started
> easily as normal, but when it did it blew out a lot of water from the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks

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JohnR - 23 Aug 2004 00:41 GMT

It is important to note that water vapor is generated from the combustion
process when hydrocarbons are burned. You may see lots of water after
starting the engine when the exhaust pipes are cold causing water to
condense.
John

> Sounds as if you had a lot of condensation in your exhaust. Preceding the
> rain, the weather was no doubt extra humid. This moisture was pulled into
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> >
> > Thanks

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Backyard Mechanic - 22 Aug 2004 23:34 GMT

opined in news:boKdnUPVMdIxUbXcRVn-pw@comcast.com:

> Yesterday morning, after sitting a week I went to start my van, it started
> easily as normal, but when it did it blew out a lot of water from the
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
>
> Thanks

if you need a second opinion, ditto reece... you just never noticed it
before.

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remove - 23 Aug 2004 01:00 GMT

> opined in news:boKdnUPVMdIxUbXcRVn-pw@comcast.com:
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> if you need a second opinion, ditto reece... you just never noticed it
> before.

I'll third that opinion.
Just a personal observation on my part, I've noticed more of this on
vehicles with aftermarket mufflers. The OEM mufflers have drain holes
that will allow condensed water to run out as it forms whereas many
aftermarket mufflers don't. The water accumulates and blows out of the
pipe on startup.
Tom

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abomb69(zerozero)@comcast.net - 24 Aug 2004 01:06 GMT

> > opined in news:boKdnUPVMdIxUbXcRVn-pw@comcast.com:

> > if you need a second opinion, ditto reece... you just never noticed it
> > before.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> pipe on startup.
> Tom

My van has an aftermarket muffler.

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