Hi everyone,
I just bought a 2020 Escape Titanium with 47k miles less than a month ago. Recently, I noticed a puddle forming near the muffler. I took it back to the dealer for a separate issue and mentioned it to them. They said the puddle is just water from the gas and that it looks worse because of the cold weather. Is that really normal?
Thanks for any help!
Unless it’s a huge amount of water forming a big puddle, it’s just condensation. The temperature change between the hot exhaust and the cooler parts of the exhaust system can cause it, which is why it’s worse in the winter. So nothing to worry about.
Mufflers have a hole at the bottom to let condensation drain out. It helps prevent rust, so it’s probably normal.
Yeah, that can be normal.
Water is a byproduct of burning fuel, and in certain weather conditions, it creates more. If you check the tailpipe, you’ll see water there too. The muffler has a hole to let it drain out.
Yep, it’s normal to find a mask under the car too.
Uma said:
Yep, it’s normal to find a mask under the car too.
Same thing happens to me all the time.
Uma said:
Yep, it’s normal to find a mask under the car too.
Same thing happens to me all the time.
It’s just the catalytic fairy coming by and leaving a protection spell for your exhaust system.
If you’re in a humid area, you might see this more. In Colorado, I’d notice it occasionally. But it does damage concrete over time.
Yep. Normal. Gasoline has hydrogen in it, and when burned, hydrogen combines with oxygen to create water vapor. The water condenses when it cools down in the exhaust.
Very common on all vehicles.
My 2017 Escape does the same thing.
It’s normal. One of the byproducts of combustion is water. It’s vapor when it leaves the engine, but some of it condenses as it cools in the muffler.
There are two holes in that muffler pan. You can see the black buildup where the water’s coming from. Just FYI.
Make sure it’s just water and not oily stuff. If it’s water, you’re fine.
Yeah, people just leave their Covid masks everywhere. Even under cars.
I thought for a second you meant drug dealer and that the thing under your car was a dime bag.
I don’t know, the mask doesn’t seem normal under the car like that.
If you look at other cars while stopped at a light, you’ll see the same thing.
Yeah, unless it smells sweet or tastes like coolant, you’re good.
