DO I HAVE AN EXHAUST LEAK - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Alfdawg · 11-30-2020, 12:51 PM

So I so happened to look under my car after I started it this morning. And I realized water was dripping from the driver and passenger sides of the exhaust. I have long tube headers and high flow cats. The water was dripping from the clamp that connects the high flow cats to the factory exhaust. The water was dripping from both sides of the connection. Once the car warmed up it was no longer leaking. Is this normal or do I have an exhaust leak?

InFiD3ViL · 11-30-2020, 01:23 PM

Meh. I wouldn't be too concerned unless you can hear it leaking. A byproduct of the cats doing their job is possible creation of H2O, and Water will ALWAYS find the smallest of gaps or holes. So it's better off that it drains out than staying inside the exhaust anyhow. Once the pipes get hot they expand and whatever gaps were there have now closed up.

If you are really concerned then maybe just tighten up those clamps a little bit more. Unfortunately, getting slip-fit pipes 100% leak free can be an exercise in futility.

Alfdawg · 11-30-2020, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InFiD3ViL

Meh. I wouldn't be too concerned unless you can hear it leaking. A byproduct of the cats doing their job is possible creation of H2O, and Water will ALWAYS find the smallest of gaps or holes. So it's better off that it drains out than staying inside the exhaust anyhow. Once the pipes get hot they expand and whatever gaps were there have now closed up.

If you are really concerned then maybe just tighten up those clamps a little bit more. Unfortunately, getting slip-fit pipes 100% leak free can be an exercise in futility.

I dont hear anything, I didn't feel any air coming out of the connections, and I didn't see no black soot. The car drives perfectly fine. Thanks for the info.

TheFlyingBananaSS · 11-30-2020, 01:39 PM

You sometimes see it out back too. In fact my corsa system has weep holes so it can drain out of the mufflers when parked.

vinman · 11-30-2020, 04:21 PM

I think a leak would probably be one side or the other, not both sides in the same spot at the same time

ADVMax · 11-30-2020, 07:17 PM

Exhausts in general these days especially in colder weather will produce a little moisture until they warm up. I’ve seen factory exhausts drip a little from a seam here and there. As someone else commented if it’s not making noise I wouldn’t be too concerned. Check the clamps to make sure they’re tight at a minimum.

oldman14ss · 11-30-2020, 09:04 PM

its condensation I too have that in areas where couplings are present.gas it when its cold and it blows out the tail pipes. yes, no worries if you're stainless. aluminized possible corrosion worries. not a big deal though.

11-30-2020, 12:51 PM	#1
Alfdawg Drives: 2014 camaro ss Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Southfield Michigan Posts: 126	DO I HAVE AN EXHAUST LEAK So I so happened to look under my car after I started it this morning. And I realized water was dripping from the driver and passenger sides of the exhaust. I have long tube headers and high flow cats. The water was dripping from the clamp that connects the high flow cats to the factory exhaust. The water was dripping from both sides of the connection. Once the car warmed up it was no longer leaking. Is this normal or do I have an exhaust leak? Attached Images

11-30-2020, 01:23 PM	#2
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,575	Meh. I wouldn't be too concerned unless you can hear it leaking. A byproduct of the cats doing their job is possible creation of H2O, and Water will ALWAYS find the smallest of gaps or holes. So it's better off that it drains out than staying inside the exhaust anyhow. Once the pipes get hot they expand and whatever gaps were there have now closed up. If you are really concerned then maybe just tighten up those clamps a little bit more. Unfortunately, getting slip-fit pipes 100% leak free can be an exercise in futility. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

11-30-2020, 01:39 PM	#4
TheFlyingBananaSS Evil Genius of Chevrolet Drives: 2017 Z06, 2019 XTS, 2013 SS Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: New York Posts: 3,260	You sometimes see it out back too. In fact my corsa system has weep holes so it can drain out of the mufflers when parked. __________________ GPI SS2 VVT cam, ECS Novi 1500 supercharger, Corsa Extreme, Detroit Speed and BMR suspension, Circle D triple disc, Melling oil pump, LS2 chain tensioner, ATI 10% UD, DSX E85 kit, High Energy coils, BTR springs, LS2 Lifter trays, Titanium retainers, hardened push rods, FIC 1000 injectors, ZL1 pump, Mighty Mouse catch can, AEM gauges, Tial BOV, Richmond 3.91 gears, Custom gauge bezels, Speed Engineering headers, Stainless Works HF cats, DSX Aux pump, 710rwhp on E85.

11-30-2020, 04:21 PM	#5
vinman The BBOMG fill-in husband Drives: 2015 2SS/RS 1LE AKA V1LE Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Elmira, NY Posts: 4,458 View My Garage	I think a leak would probably be one side or the other, not both sides in the same spot at the same time __________________ UPSTATE C5 MEMBER

11-30-2020, 07:17 PM	#6
ADVMax Sporting Foole Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Alabama Posts: 500	Exhausts in general these days especially in colder weather will produce a little moisture until they warm up. I’ve seen factory exhausts drip a little from a seam here and there. As someone else commented if it’s not making noise I wouldn’t be too concerned. Check the clamps to make sure they’re tight at a minimum.

11-30-2020, 09:04 PM	#7
oldman14ss Drives: 2014 1ss camaro Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: missouri Posts: 705	its condensation I too have that in areas where couplings are present.gas it when its cold and it blows out the tail pipes. yes, no worries if you're stainless. aluminized possible corrosion worries. not a big deal though.