Is water dripping from your car’s exhaust pipe? While this sight might be alarming, it’s usually not a problem.
Water coming from your exhaust can be perfectly normal, especially during cold starts or in certain weather conditions. However, it’s important to know when this is a sign of something more serious.
Let’s look at the common reasons for water coming from your exhaust and help you figure out if you need a mechanic or if it’s just business as usual.
See Also: 9 Reasons Water is Leaking Into Your Car
Reasons Why Water is Coming Out of Your Tailpipe
1) Condensation (Normal Cause)
When you start your car, especially on a cool morning, water vapor forms as part of the normal combustion process. Your engine burns fuel and air, producing water vapor and carbon dioxide as byproducts.
As these hot exhaust gases move through your cooler exhaust system, the water vapor condenses into liquid water (similar to how a cold drink “sweats” on a warm day). You’ll typically see this water dripping from your tailpipe during the first 10-15 minutes of operation, particularly when it’s cold outside.
This is completely normal and will stop once your engine and exhaust system reach their regular operating temperature.
2) Catalytic Converter Operation (Normal Cause)
Your catalytic converter plays a major role in reducing harmful emissions by converting exhaust gases into less harmful substances. During this chemical process, one of the natural byproducts is water vapor.
When this hot water vapor hits the cooler sections of your exhaust system, it condenses into water droplets that can drip from your tailpipe. This is most noticeable during short trips or when your engine is warming up. The water should be clear and odorless. If you notice any unusual colors or smells, that could indicate a different problem.
3) Water in Exhaust After Car Wash (Normal Cause)
During a car wash, water can enter your exhaust pipe directly. This is especially common with high-pressure self-serve or automatic car washes. Upon acceleration, this trapped water will be pushed out by physics and exhaust flow. Most of us have seen this when following other vehicles.
You might see a larger amount of water than usual dripping from your tailpipe, but this should clear up within a few minutes of running the engine. Most modern mufflers are designed to drain this water naturally. This is completely normal and won’t harm your vehicle.
4) Clogged Muffler or Drain Hole (Abnormal Cause)
Your muffler has small drain holes designed to let condensation escape. If these holes get clogged with road debris or rust, water can collect inside the muffler. This trapped water may suddenly pour out when you start your car or accelerate. You might hear a gurgling sound or notice splashing noises from your exhaust system.
While not normal, it’s also not worth panicking about. But a clogged drain hole can eventually lead to premature muffler rust and failure. A mechanic can clean or drill new drain holes, or replace the muffler if rust is extensive.
5) Blown Head Gasket (Abnormal Cause)
When coolant leaks into your engine’s combustion chambers through a failed head gasket, it turns to steam during combustion and exits through your exhaust. Unlike normal condensation, this will produce excessive amounts of white steam that doesn’t clear up as your engine warms.
You might also notice your engine overheating, low coolant levels, or white smoke. The water dripping from your exhaust may have a sweet smell or feel slimy. This is a serious issue that needs immediate attention to prevent major engine damage (if it hasn’t already occurred).
6) EGR Cooler Failure (Abnormal Cause)
This issue is more common in diesel engines, particularly in certain Ford, Dodge, and GM models. When an EGR cooler develops cracks or fails, engine coolant can leak into the exhaust system.
Like with other coolant leak related issues, you may see white smoke from the exhaust, coolant loss without visible leaks, and possible engine overheating. The coolant entering the exhaust system will appear as excessive water, often with a sweet smell.
This problem requires professional repair since a failed EGR cooler can lead to engine damage and poor performance. The repair typically involves replacing the EGR cooler and possibly related components.
7) Cracked Exhaust Manifold (Abnormal Cause)
A cracked or damaged exhaust manifold can allow coolant from your engine’s cooling passages to leak directly into the exhaust system. This typically creates excessive steam and water, particularly near the engine when it’s running.
You may experience coolant loss without visible leaks under the car, along with a sweet smell from the exhaust. Unlike normal condensation, this issue won’t improve as the engine warms up. The leak can worsen over time and potentially allow exhaust gases into the cooling system, leading to overheating.
8) Cracked Engine Block or Cylinder Head (Abnormal Cause)
Similar to a blown head gasket, a crack in your engine block or cylinder head can allow coolant to seep into the combustion chambers or exhaust ports. You’ll notice continuous white steam from the exhaust, even after the engine is warm, along with coolant loss and possible overheating.
The water from your exhaust might have a sweet, antifreeze-like smell. This is a serious problem that requires immediate attention as continuing to drive could cause catastrophic engine failure. Have your car towed to a repair shop for diagnosis.
How to Tell If It’s Normal or Serious
| Observation | Normal | Serious – Call a Mechanic |
|---|---|---|
| Water Color | Clear, like tap water | White/milky, slimy, or colored fluid |
| Timing | Mostly during cold starts, first 5-15 minutes | Continuous dripping, even after engine is warm |
| Amount | Few drops to small drips | Steady stream or excessive amount |
| Smell | No smell | Sweet smell (like syrup) or chemical odor |
| Exhaust Smoke | Thin white vapor that disappears quickly | Thick white smoke that doesn’t clear up |
| When It Happens | Morning starts, cold weather, after car wash | Any time, regardless of conditions |
| Other Signs | None | • Engine running hot • Low coolant level • Rough running engine • White residue on oil cap |
| Behavior | Clears up as engine warms | Gets worse or stays the same as engine runs |
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I have a 2010 Lincoln MKZ and I just noticed I have water leaking from my catalytic converters on both sides can someone please help me and tell me what it can be there’s no smoke coming out of my tailpipes and my car is running perfectly fine
How much water are we talking about? It’s pretty normal to see a bit of condensation on or in the exhaust, especially as the car is warming up.
My 2012 pathfinder started spitting water out of tail pipe and muffler on startup. It’s a substantial amount. It wasn’t dripping all summer but started recently. It’s still warm. The water is coming out until the vehicle gets hot. It drips from the catalytic converter and muffler. I am worried the vehicle has a problem with the Cylinder head or a bad piston? It’s definitely water and not coolant. I do seem to have a very slow coolant leak also. The vehicle seems to be running fine. The mechanic Midas said it’s normal but I feel like it’s definitely the start of some issue. Please guide me
I am inclined to agree with the mechanic. Oil or coolant would be bad, but a little water is fairly normal. You can always get a second opinion if you think there’s something wrong, but if the car is otherwise driving OK I wouldn’t worry about it.
my 318bmw f30 2016 model spits out lots of water and white smoke from the tailpipe, and it never stops. what could be the problem, some mechanics suspected the turbocharger but some ruled that one out. please help
I don’t know. Is it just water? Does it smell sweet like coolant?
Have a bmw 2013 328i, has a catless downpipe without a tune. 3 months after use only during cold starts the car spits out water that has like a yellow/brown colour to it. It’s not sticky or slimey. Is this condensation or something else ?
Recently a check engine light showed up on gauge when I started my car in the morning followed by sweet smell with water droplets from my exhausted and Am really puzzled with what that would be the cause????🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔💀💀💀💀
What was the code for that check engine light?
A lot of water is pouring from my exhaust on my 2002 Denali, but without white smoke. And it runs fine, beautifully in fact, but the coolant level drops quickly and the engine will overheat.
Sounds like you may have a head gasket leak. I would get it checked out to see what the cause of the coolant drop is.
Hi my rav 4 with 3s-fe it has a problem of water coming out of the exhaust manifold on cylinder number 4 only what could be the problem I have just overhauled the engine.
Engine won’t start. I have water pouring out the exhaust ( NOT DRIPPING) What would cause this?
Could the engine have flooded?
Good one lol
White smoke and water droplets continues and smells,with coolant reservoir disappear in 2 weeks
Sounds like a blown head gasket or intake manifold gasket leak. You should get that fixed soon before the car overheats and causes further damage.
will liquid glass fix it
I have notice when i have start a car water dripping throug tailpipe what is the reason my car engine is good condation or bad condation.plz tell me what is problem my car.
How much water? A few drops is normal, it’s probably not an issue if the vehicle is running fine.
I have a 1988 Jeep YJ Wrangler with a GM crate 350 HO in it and when I went to start it It knocked hard and pressurized water gushed out of the exhaust forcefully. I Immediately shut it down for obvious reasons and havent started it since. The engine has 5k miles on it. vandalism?
I don’t know. Were you able to determine if it was just water? Could it have been coolant?
I spent the night at a rest stop with my car running on and off for heat. When I started to take off I the morning water dumped out of my exhaust and there was white smoke for awhile. Water still drips out however there is no longer white smoke or very little. I am out of town and need to get home. Is it safe?
It’s probably fine. Sounds like maybe it was just cold outside.
i start the car and let it idle till it warms up, then rev it up a few times and a lot of water flies out along with white smoke. no water in oil. the car runs great. 2000 toyota camry 4cyl. engine.
A little water in the exhaust is pretty normal, as is a little white smoke if it’s cold outside. This happens when there’s condensation in the exhaust, especially after you first start the vehicle. If you’re concerned, have it checked out by a mechanic.
I test drove a used car today. When I revved it up, lots of water from the tailpipe. Not a drip, pints of water. Dripped out when running, but gushed out when revved. No smoke. What would cause it.
It was probably just a lot of condensation. If the car was sitting, it’s not uncommon to see water out the tailpipe when you rev it up. If it’s cold, you’ll see more of it.
My car is running really rough and is sluggish and has quite a bit of water coming out of the tail pipe but no smoke. Any idea what would cause this??
Hard to know for sure without some testing to narrow down the problem scope.
John my car is doing the same time I hope it it isn’t very costly. An idea of what the problem might be?
Car idles fine however when reviving to 2.5k rpm and releasing throttle. The car throw out quite a bit of water out of the exhaust as if its filling up then blowing it out. Also slightly smokey (white), is this the head gasket blown?
If it blows a lot of white smoke (even when warm), this is a problem. A little water out of the exhaust is normal. A little white smoke on startup is fairly common and usually not cause for concern.
But what if its alot of white smoke?
A lot of white smoke generally means there’s a problem. I would bring it by a shop to have the issue diagnosed.
Yes your head gasket has blown
Small water splashes out and it has a chemical smell from the muffler. No smoke
A little water from the exhaust is normal and usually the result of condensation.
When I drive my car around the block and come back I noticed water is still coming out of the exhaust pipe and I have to top with water half litre of water is it still safe to drive my commodore wagon 6yl there’s no smoke coming from the exhaust pipe I checked the dip stick and oil cap seems to be OK no water at all
I don’t know. Check with a local mechanic for their recommendations. Shouldn’t be down a half liter of water like that.
Water from the radiation goes straight to exhaust
Your head gasket is bad
What if the vehicle runs 24-7 for weeks at a time? The vehicle is used for security purposes.What would the cause of water coming out of the exaust?
If the vehicle is used for security purposes you should really consult your own mechanic over an internet resource. It’s hard to know for sure without seeing it in person, but my gut tells me it’s probably fine if it’s just a few drops of water here and there.
I am having the literal exact same Scenario have you found out what was the cause?
There was spurt of water coming out of my exhaust pipe when I started my car, and the car shook when the engine started running. This happened about 5 seconds and then the engine ran smoothly.
I have the same exact problem, also my water doesn’t last long I have to keep stopping to refill water. The smoke and water out of the exhaust come and go.
I have my mechanic replace my cylinder head. But I still notice abnormal quantities of water coming out of my car’s muffler. May I know the possible causes?
Water out the tailpipe from a blown head gasket will appear as white smoke, and is pretty hard to miss if the leak is bad. If it’s just water droplets, this could be normal condensation. It’s possible you’ve always had this level of moisture coming out, but it is more noticeable after the repair because you’ve been paying more attention to the car. I know I tend to do this after I notice a problem.
The water from the radiation go straight to exhaust within 4mints