OK, Gearheads, How About This?

[Ross]

You know how in cold, damp air your exhaust will put out a kind of fog? Well, we had a couple of cold, damp nights recently and I noticed that my passenger side exhaust was putting out visible "fog" while my driver's side wasn't. This doesn't seem right to me. Seems like one bank of the V8 should put out the same kind of exhaust as the other bank. But then, there's the crossover in the middle, so which bank is the exhaust really coming from? Is this something to worry about? I have no visible exhaust in normal weather. Car seems to be running fine.

[merc406]

While I would not worry about it, if you still have stock mufflers that usually have a small drain hole, the one on the right may be plugged. It's ony condensation causing it.

[GarageMahal]

I have noticed this before as well. I have also observed that the side with visible exhaust changes sometimes as well. Another thing is that it only dissapears at idle, both pipes vent fog under load. I figured it was just an anomoli caused by the x-pipe at low pressures.

jta

[BillyGman]

pipes vent the under load, then I'd say it's no biggie that they don't during idle although that drainhole thing is interesting(I didn't even know about that). But you might want to get out of the car the next time you start it up, and while it's running, put your hand behind each tailpipe to make sure exhaust is actually coming out of both of them while it's idling. If not then maybe one of your cats are clogged. Although my gues would be that it isn't likely since the cats are in front of the H-pipe.

[Ross]

I'll try that before I leave the parking garage to go home today, Billy. I kind of doubt that I have a clogged cat, though, or I would be able to tell a difference in how the car runs, wouldn't I?

[Murader03]

Originally posted by Ross
I'll try that before I leave the parking garage to go home today, Billy. I kind of doubt that I have a clogged cat, though, or I would be able to tell a difference in how the car runs, wouldn't I?

You would probably get a "Check Engine" light sooner or later. My goodness we worry about the smallest of things. It's just like the con trail the jets leave at high altitude. It's the hot gases hitting the colder/damp air. The car is doing the same as what your breath does in the winter. Relax and enjoy the car.

[Ross]

Murader, I agree that's it's just the hot gases hitting the cold damp air, I just can't figure out why gases would be hotter, or have something different about them, from one side as opposed to the other. Seems like they should be just about equal.

[gonzo50]

Originally posted by Ross
Murader, I agree that's it's just the hot gases hitting the cold damp air, I just can't figure out why gases would be hotter, or have something different about them, from one side as opposed to the other. Seems like they should be just about equal.
The coldest it's gotten here so far is about 29 degress, and I've noticed that I have exhaust gases coming out of both tail pipes equally, it might drip water from one, more then the other but eventually they both drip.

[Billatpro]

You did not say if this "condition" goes away after the car is up to full temp. I do know that with factory dual exhaust on older cars that had a carb the exhaust gas was restricted on one side and forced through internal porting in the engine to heat the intake and once the car comes to temp both pips were in full flow.

[jgc61sr2002]

Originally posted by Billatpro
You did not say if this "condition" goes away after the car is up to full temp. I do know that with factory dual exhaust on older cars that had a carb the exhaust gas was restricted on one side and forced through internal porting in the engine to heat the intake and once the car comes to temp both pips were in full flow. That is correct. Older vehicles had a heat riser which diverted exhaust gas through the intake manifold. This kept the fuel mixture entering the engine warm. IMO.

[Bigdogjim]

Ross if you had a clogged cat you would know it! Loss in power..

[BillyGman]

I agree.. if the cats were clogged, there would be a loss of power. I wasn't thinling about that when i wrote my last post.

I guess it's because even though this doesn't sound too serious, it's stumping me and I was kinda reaching for straws a little in an effort to help you out.

The only other thing that I can think of is your driving habits. Do you often find yourself starting up the car and driving to a daily destination such as work which only takes you 5 minutes or less to get to?

If that's the case, then the engine never gets to operating temperature which is bad for the engine, but in that case, neither would the exhaust fully heat up. Therefore, the condensation in the exhaust would never be burned off, and perhaps moisture would build up inside the mufflers. Again, I'm not at all sure that this can possibly cause an alteration of exhaust flow, but it's the only other thing that I can think of. Maybe it's just time to go for a long drive and open her up!!! Does the car ever sit for a week or two w/out being used???

[Ross]

Good points to consider, Billy. I usually drive about 30 minutes to work and 30 minutes home each day. The car usually gets driven somewhere each day, even if it's just a short trip on weekends to church or the grocery store. On the particular night that I noticed this most, I had driven for about 20 minutes, and the car had been up to operating temperature for several minutes. This is probably nothing to lose any sleep over, but it sure has me confused. Interesting point some have made about both exhausts not opening up until the car is up to temperature. I had no idea about that. I figured they were both open all the time.

[crom]

When I start mine up for the first time in the mornings there is exhaust/fog/pressure coming out of both tailpipes.

[01True BlueGT]

Just remember, after the cats, there is a cross-over pipe. You should be able to cover one pipe with hand(when first started(cold)) and the steam, fog, smoke, should transfer to other pipe.

[Dr Caleb]

Originally posted by BillyGman
although that drainhole thing is interesting(I didn't even know about that).

It's been common on all the Panthers. Most, like my CV, come with factory stainless dual exhaust, and all the resonators have little drain holes in them to prevent water buildup.

It's a big problem in the cold, mostly for taxis. They idel for an hour or two, then shut them off. The water turns to ice, then the car won't start :(

It's real obvious on my driveway. I start the CV and let it warn for 10-15 minutes,. After a few days, I notice 6 patches of ice on the driveway about the size of a dinner plate. Lets me know the exhaust is still working! Clear ice - no head problems!

[BillyGman]

Originally posted by 01True BlueGT
Just remember, after the cats, there is a cross-over pipe. You should be able to cover one pipe with hand(when first started(cold)) and the steam, fog, smoke, should transfer to other pipe.

that sounds like a good point to me......