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Normal Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Fri, 4 Jan 2002 16:01:46 In Reply to: Small leak next to exhaust manifold-water???? Help-long, lms, Fri, 4 Jan 2002 15:43:18 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
It's normal to see a little water spitting up in the exhaust manifold area when the car is cold. I usually see it at the joint between the turbo and the exhaust pipe to it.
Water is a by-product of combustion - ever notice that spray of water out the exhaust when the car is first idling on a cold morning? The water in the exhaust condenses on the cold exhaust manifold and exhaust lines, and it finds every little crack and creeps through it by capillary action. The exhaust pulses 'spit' it out. When the exhaust manifold warms up, two things happen - first, it's too hot for water to condense, so that area drys up. Second, the components expand from the heat, sealing those fine cracks.
I would go around and tighten up ALL your hose clamps. Hose clamps like to loosen up a little in cold weather, or since all your hoses are new, need a re-tighten after a few weeks. When the car is cold, there is no pressure in the cooling system, so water won't find the small ways out. When you start the car, the pressure builds up as the coolant heats, and it heats faster than the hose fittings. You get small leaks then. After a few minutes, the hose fittings get warm and expand, and that seals the leaks. But you've been driving around during that small window when the hose fittings are leaking, so you don't see a puddle, if any. Most coolant evaporates on the hot surfaces before reaching the ground. Look around for the telltale signs of leaks - whitish or greenish powder around hose fittings. But give all your hose clamps an extra quarter turn or so, especially the ones on the radiator.
Good luck!
posted by 140.157....
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