Water in exhaust - Malibu Chevrolet Cars & Trucks

This can be a result of blown head gasket. Your vehicle is suppose to have water build up in the exhaust but this is limited to a small quantity. if it pours out, you have a water port which leaks to the exhaust. replace as soon as possible to avoid further engine damage. the flange gasket is also not good anymore this is why you can see the water coming out there.

Water coming from a exhaust is normal. The newer the car, the more emission control it has at protecting the environment and the more water you will see.

Remember that the combustion of hydrocarbon fuel produces both carbon dioxide AND water vapor as a normal part of the process. All gasoline engines produce water vapor and all water vapor condenses if the exhaust pipe is cool.

Most of the time water dripping is normal. The catalytic converter "converts" exhaust gases into water vapor.
The exhaust system also collects moisture when the engine is off.
It depends on how much water and when.
Are you adding coolant to the radiator ?

Water leaking from the exhaust when the car first starts. This is normal as the exhaust system is cold and the exhaust fumes contains a lot of water vapour (moisture). This is more noticable during very cold weather.
As your car warm up to normal operating temperature the water vapour is still present but because of the higher temperature you will not see this water vapour.

Of course, I don't know the entire situation of your exhaust, but I doubt what you are seeing is water. The exhaust pipe carries out ignited gas fumes that your engine has ignited. Any unignited gas will escape through the exhaust pipe if it is not used properly. If large amount are coming out of you exhaust pipe, you are loosing a lot of money on gas. My best guess would be bad spark plugs not igniting the gas properly. I would try replacing those first. If you are not good with cars, I recommend taking the car to a certified professional mechanic. I hope this helps! Please feel free to ask any questions if needed.

When gasoline is burnt the products are carbon dioxide and water:- 2C8H18 (gasoline) + 25O2 (air) ----------> 18H2O (water) + 16CO2 (carbon dioxide) If you take short trips the water content will condense in the cold exhaust pipe and collect in the muffler boxes (silencers). At a certain point the water will fill the mufflers, overflow and begin to dribble out of the exhaust tail pipe. It is worthwhile to occasionally give your car a longer run to allow the exhaust to become sufficiently hot and to evaporate all the collected water. The water is acidic and hastens the corrosion of the exhaust pipes.

Water out of the exhaust is a natural by product of the catalytic process that occurs in your converter. A lot of water coming out the exhaust is NOT normal and indicates a possible head gasket problem.Watch you engine temperature gauge for overheating.The only way to know 100% is to have a mechanic pressure test your cooling system. Good Luck

Removal & Installation

2.2L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Drain the engine coolant.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   Exhaust manifold, if equipped with n automatic transaxle Right front wheel Splash shield Water pump sprocket access plate from the timing cover
   
   
   
   Fig. Remove the water pump sprocket access plate from the timing cover -2.2L engine
   
5. Attach Water Pump Sprocket Holding Tool J 43651to the sprocket using the access plate bolts to secure the tool to the engine front cover.
   Sprocket to water pump bolts Engine block to water pump bolt Engine front cover to water pump bolt Thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe 2 water pump to engine block bolts Water pump
   
   
   
   Fig. Water pump mounting-2.2L engine
   

To install:

1. Use a threaded stud in the water pump hub to align the hub to the water pump sprocket.
   Water pump and bolts Thermostat housing to water pump feed pipe Engine front cover bolt and engine block to water pump bolt. Tighten the bolts to 15 ft. lbs. (20 Nm) 2 of the water pump sprocket to water pump bolts
   
2. Remove the threaded stud.
   Last water pump sprocket to water pump bolt and tighten the sprocket bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
3. Remove the tool.
   Water pump sprocket access plate to the timing cover and tighten the bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm) Splash shield Right front wheel Exhaust manifold, if removed
4. Fill the cooling system.
5. Connect the negative battery cable.

2.4L Engine

1. Before servicing the vehicle, refer to the precautions section.
2. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
3. Drain the cooling system.
4. Remove or disconnect the following:
   WARNING Do not rotate the flex coupling more than 4 degrees or damage may occur. Oxygen Sensor (O 2 S) electrical connector Exhaust manifold heat shield Coolant inlet housing bolt through the exhaust manifold Exhaust manifold brace-to-manifold bolt Manifold-to-exhaust pipe studs Coolant inlet housing-to-water pump cover bolt Exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold by pulling it downward Coolant inlet pipe from the oil pan Brake vacuum pipe from the camshaft housing Exhaust manifold from the cylinder head Heater hose from the heater outlet pipe Timing chain cover and tensioner Water pump cover-to-engine bolts 3 water pump-to-timing chain housing nuts Water pump and cover assembly Water pump cover from the pump
   
   
   
   Fig. Exploded view of the water pump mounting-2.4L engine
   

continue...

2.4L Engine

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable
   
2. Detach the Oxygen (O2) sensor electrical connector.
   
3. Properly drain the engine coolant into a suitable container. Remove the heater hose from the thermostat housing for a more complete coolant drain.
   
4. Remove upper exhaust manifold heat shield.
   
5. Remove the bolt that attaches the exhaust manifold brace to the manifold.
   
6. Remove the lower exhaust manifold heat shield.
   
7. Break the manifold-to-exhaust pipe spring loaded bolts loose using a 13mm box wrench.
   
8. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
   

NOTE It is necessary to relieve the spring pressure from 1 bolt prior to removing the second bolt. If the spring pressure is not relieved, it will cause the exhaust pipe to twist and bind up the bolt as it is removed.

1. Unfasten the two radiator outlet pipe-to-water pump cover bolts.
   
2. Remove the manifold to exhaust pipe bolts from the exhaust pipe flange as follows:
   
   1. Unscrew either bolt clockwise 4 turns.
      
   2. Remove the other bolt.
      
   3. Remove the first bolt.
      

NOTE DO NOT rotate the flex coupling more than 4° or damage may occur.

1. Pull down and back on the exhaust pipe to disengage it from the exhaust manifold bolts.
   
2. Remove the radiator outlet pipe from the oil pan and transaxle. Leave the lower radiator hose attached and pull down on the outlet pipe to remove it from the water pump. Leave the radiator outlet pipe hang.
   
3. Carefully lower the vehicle.
   
4. Unfasten the exhaust manifold-to-cylinder head retaining nuts, then remove the exhaust manifold, seals and gaskets.
   
5. Remove the front timing chain cover and the chain tensioner. For details, please refer to the procedure located later in this section.
   
6. Unfasten the water pump-to-cylinder block bolts. Remove the water pump-to-timing chain housing nuts. Remove the water pump and cover mounting bolts and nuts. Remove the water pump and cover as an assembly, then separate the two pieces.
   

Water pump and cover mounting—2.4L engine
Click to Enlarge To install:

1. Thoroughly clean and dry all mounting surfaces, bolts and bolt holes. Using a new gasket, install the water pump to the cover and tighten the bolts finger-tight.
   
2. Lubricate the splines of the water pump with clean grease and install the assembly to the engine using new gaskets. Install the mounting bolts and nuts finger-tight.
   
3. Lubricate the radiator outlet pipe O-ring with antifreeze and slide the pipe onto the water pump cover. Install the bolts finger-tight.
   
4. With all gaps closed, tighten the bolts, in the following sequence, to the proper values:
   
   1. Pump assembly-to-chain housing nuts:19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm).
      
   2. Pump cover-to-pump assembly: 106 inch lbs. (12 Nm).
      
   3. Cover-to-block, bottom bolt first: 19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm).
      
   4. Radiator outlet pipe assembly-to-pump cover: 125 inch lbs. (14 Nm).
      
5. Using new gaskets, install the exhaust manifold. Make sure to following the tightening sequence and torque specifications given in the exhaust manifold procedure located in this section.
   
6. Raise and safely support the vehicle.
   
7. Index the exhaust manifold bolts into the exhaust pipe flange.
   
8. Connect the exhaust pipe to the manifold. Install the exhaust pipe flange bolts evenly and gradually to avoid binding. Turn the bolts in until fully seated.
   
9. Connect the radiator outlet pipe to the transaxle and oil pan.
   
10. Install the timing chain tensioner and front cover.
    
11. Install the lower heat shield.
    
12. Carefully lower the vehicle.
    
13. Fasten the bolt that attaches the exhaust manifold brace to the manifold.
    
14. Tighten the manifold-to-exhaust pipe nuts to specification.
    
15. Install the upper heat shield.
    
16. Attach the oxygen sensor connector.
    
17. Fill the radiator with coolant until it comes out the heater hose outlet at the thermostat housing. Then connect the heater hose. Leave the radiator cap off.
    
18. Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine. Run the vehicle until the thermostat opens, fill the radiator and recovery tank to their proper levels, then turn the engine OFF.
    
19. Once the vehicle has cooled, recheck the coolant level, then install the radiator cap.
    

3.1L Engine

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
   
2. Properly drain the cooling system into a suitable container.
   
3. Loosen, but do not remove, the water pump pulley bolts.
   
4. Remove the serpentine belt.
   
5. Unfasten the water pump pulley bolts, then remove the pulley.
   
6. Remove the five water pump mounting bolts, then remove the water pump.
   

To install:
View of the water pump mounting and bolt tightening specifications—3.1L engine shown
Click to Enlarge

1. Clean all the gasket surfaces completely.
   
2. Apply a thin bead of sealer around the outside edge of the water pump along the gasket sealing area, then install the gasket onto the water pump.
   
3. Position the water pump on the engine, then tighten the water pump mounting bolts to 89 inch lbs. (10 Nm).
   
4. Install the water pump pulley and finger-tighten the pulley bolts.
   
5. Install the serpentine belt.
   
6. Tighten the water pump pulley bolts to 18 ft. lbs. (25 Nm).
   
7. Fill the cooling system.
   
8. Connect the negative battery cable, then start the engine. Let the engine run until it reaches normal operating temperature, then check for leaks and coolant level. Add coolant, if necessary, then turn the engine OFF.
   

some water is normal but if you are loosing coolant, running hot or if water from exhaust smells like antifreeze you have a problem (head gasket or cracked head)