Water as byproduct of combustion question

usagoal · Post by **usagoal** » Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:22 pm

MS-II, v3.0

This is a general question about something I noticed (or actually didn't notice) when looking at my exhaust while my engine was running. Before my MS-II install (MS-I), at idle water would drip out of the exhaust withing minutes of having the engine running. This is normal since water is a byproduct of combustion and shows a generally decent indication of a complete burning of fuel in the combustion chamber. Now it idles but I barely see any water, if not any. I know this isn't a great method of gauging how well an engine is running but it does show something. Maybe I have my timing too advanced or retarded? Could it be a fuel issue? Too rich or lean....I don't know. The engine is finally running good so I don't want to go crazy over it. thanks.

FiatFreak · Post by **FiatFreak** » Thu Aug 24, 2006 5:43 pm

Well, I can only speculate here because I really don't know. But, it would seem like you are either running leaner, so there is just less water being made. Or, your EGT's are higher so the water is staying as vapor as it exits the pipe. Maybe a combination of both?

JustinL · Post by **JustinL** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:56 am

I think you would need to do a more controlled experiment to really tell if there was a difference. Ambient temperature, % humidity, and pressure will have an effect as well as the overall temperature of the exhaust system.

Try starting it with MS, check for water. Then let it cool and restart it with the OEM system to see if there is a difference.

usagoal · Post by **usagoal** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:02 pm

I can't use the oem system....that stuff was sold on ebay a while ago (this is a 62 skylark pictured under my username).

quattrodave · Post by **quattrodave** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 1:05 pm

Hiya,

Condensation may very well be produced in the exhaust, hot air hitting cold exhaust pipe and all. It also could be a leaking head gasket vaporising in the cylinder then recondensing further down the exhaust system. How long does waterdrip from the tail pipe for??

On a few cars i've worked on the air conditioning also emptys its condensation into the exhaust system which can be very alarming at times...!!!

Let us know how you get on.

Dave