Dripping out of muffler exaust clamp

[Stallion]

This morning I went to warm up the Vette, so I started her up. And then you know how you get some moisture (condensation?) out of the exaust, well that was coming out the tail pipes as normal.

But I also noticed that my muffler clamps (where the exuast pipe meets the mufflers) where also dripping this liquid.

I had the my drivers side exaust down the other day, and I think I tightened it enough, but it was dripping. The odd thing was the other muffler was also dripping this and I hadn't even touched that side of the exaust.

I just never noticed this before. Is this bad? I know the fluid itself isn't, but if the liquid can get through this seal I'm sure air can. Any ideas? Do I just need to tighten them a little more?

TR

 

[71LS5]

Sounds like the clamps are not tight enough. The liquid you see is the water condensation you get from the exhaust system before it is fully heated up. The leakage is not serious, except you could wind up getting carbon monoxide inside the car, but that is unlikely due to the location of the mufflers. I'd try to tighten the clamps down a little more. If that does not work, loosen the mufflers and twist back and forth to crunch off any crud and to form a better seal, or remove them and sand or grind off any corrosion between the pipe and muffler and then reinstall. Good Luck.

 

[SwaveDave]

Do what 71 LS5 suggested, and if that doesnt work...a little dab of JB WELD on the hole/crack after you clean it up real good, will do the trick. Once dried, you can paint it so its not noticable.
Dave

 

[Stallion]

Okay thanks guys, I figured the clamps would just need to be tightened. Also with the drips, I could see that it was rusty water, so I'm sure that just got in the way. No big deal I guess. I just needed your reassurance that I need to only tighten the clamps.

Thanks!!

TR

 

[Stallion]

Quick question...

It just so happened that I was starting the Vette up on this early crisp morning to see the condensation coming out. But after I tighten the bolts on the clamps, how will I know that they are not leaking exaust anymore? I happened to get lucky by seeing the condensation running out.

Thanks!

TR

 

[71LS5]

You will have to let it cool down and restart once you tighten the clamps to see if it still leaks. Best to do this in the mornings when it is cool. Unfortunately you just have to repeat the process several times to make it work. Although you may get lucky the first time around. The JB Weld trick will help.

 

[SwaveDave]

Some guys even deliberately drill a small hole before and after the mufflers in the pipes , to drain out the acidic condensate to help make the mufflers last longer.

 

[Stallion]

Okay, I'm going to just tighten the bolts on the clamps then. Maybe move it around a little to break of a little bit of the rusty coating, all though it's stainless steel exaust and semi-new. :confused

But thanks, I'll get back to you guys with results.

TR

 

[JohnZ]

Production mufflers (and some, but not all replacements) come with a tiny hole pierced in the inlet side, at the bottom, to allow drainage of condensate from inside the muffler so they last longer before rusting out. If your mufflers have drain holes, the condensate is probably running out of the holes, down the outside of the inlet pipe, and dripping off the clamp, which is the first thing the condensate runs into.

 

[WhalePirot]

allow drainage of condensate

I used to drill small holes, if none were present, for this reason.
Mike

 

[Stallion]

There might be holes in the mufflers. Just something that I have noticed and wasn't sure if this was right. Where would these holes be? Would I be able to see them if they are there?

 

[JohnZ]

If you have them, they'll be 1/16"-3/32" holes, in the forward end plates, at the lowest point of the muffler.

 

[Stallion]

Okay, I'll take a look down there, John. Thanks!!

TR