Zetec - water in exhaust

[quickmag]

I am getting small amounts (a teaspoon or 2) of water in my exhaust pipe. Need to figure out where it is coming from.
Compression is good across all 4 cylinders, as is leak down. Cold/warm pressure testing (+/- 15 PSI) on the cooling system also shows no leak down. Any Ideas?

Also looking for a Zetec motor rebuild shop in Western Canada or Northwest US. Recommendations?

Bri.

[Charles Warner]

Are you losing water?

[quickmag]

Are you losing water?

Yes, header tank is down a bit. Nothing major. Probably wouldn't even think about it except for the water in the exhaust pipe makes me worry.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

Do you have a scope?

https://www.amazon.com/Two-Way-Artic...dp/B0DGSSJQN5/

To see if any of the cylinders are steam cleaned?
Generally that would come out as steam/white smoke thought and not 'water'.

Does the 'teaspoon' re-appear between sessions?

Since you lose water I think it's a pinhole near and exhaust port that squirts into the exhaust as the cooling system pressures down. Haven't looked at the cooling passages in the head to see how close they get to the exhaust ports.

Pull the headers and pressurize the cooling system and see if you see water in the exhaust ports.

[douglap1]

I am getting small amounts (a teaspoon or 2) of water in my exhaust pipe. Need to figure out where it is coming from.
Compression is good across all 4 cylinders, as is leak down. Cold/warm pressure testing (+/- 15 PSI) on the cooling system also shows no leak down. Any Ideas?

Also looking for a Zetec motor rebuild shop in Western Canada or Northwest US. Recommendations?

Bri.

Guessing your exhaust temperature in Calgary could be 40 F in the morning, which could result in condensation on start-up?

[Purple Frog]

I think we need more info. When do you see this tablespoon of water? Right at start up of a cold engine?

[quickmag]

Guessing your exhaust temperature in Calgary could be 40 F in the morning, which could result in condensation on start-up?

Yes it could be, except that the coolant level in the header tank when down as well, so condensation probably not.

[quickmag]

I think we need more info. When do you see this tablespoon of water? Right at start up of a cold engine?

Noticed a few drops of water at the end of the collector at a cold start trying to put the car in the trailer. Pulled the collector off, tablespoon of fluid in the collector.
Had been sitting for about 2-3 weeks since the last race. Engine started, at the last race, to seeming be low on power below 4,000 RPM and not pull that well.

[tlracer]

Yes it could be, except that the coolant level in the header tank when down as well, so condensation probably not.

As you've done compression & leakdown tests already, it's probably worth trying to separate the 'collector' and 'header tank' concerns:

Especially in cold/damp weather it's remarkable how much condensation an engine produces - although maybe it shouldn't be as CO2 and water are the primary products of combustion!

I'd start and run it from cold, up to normal temperature and measure the approximate amount of water. Then shut it off, leave for 5 minutes or so and run again for an equivalent length of time. You may need to rig up some sort of air blower onto the rad(s) to keep the temperature from going too high. Check for water again.

If it is condensation from cold start, then the second time won't produce anything like as much water.

Regarding the level in the header, water expands when hot/contracts when cold, so is it possible this is what you're seeing in the apparent level changes?

[quickmag]

A
Regarding the level in the header, water expands when hot/contracts when cold, so is it possible this is what you're seeing in the apparent level changes?

Unfortunately, not. I check the water level at the start (ambient) before engine start and then the next day. So, any heat expansion should be gone.

Pull the headers and pressurize the cooling system and see if you see water in the exhaust ports.

On a 2004 Mygale FC they only way the headers come off, is to pull the motor first.

Since you lose water I think it's a pinhole near and exhaust port that squirts into the exhaust as the cooling system pressures down.

I like the idea. Not sure how to test for it - other then pull the motor, remove the head and have it crack tested/magnafluxed (sp)..

Before I pull the motor, I would like (to some level of confidence) know what the problem is. Otherwise its just a "hope you can find a problem" rebuild.

[quickmag]

I would like to thank everyone for their responses/inputs on this problem . Gives me a few ideas to test/try . Keep them coming.

Bri.

[BeerBudgetRacing]

On a 2004 Mygale FC they only way the headers come off, is to pull the motor first.

That's inconvenient