First off, I own an 88 CRX Si that is used only as a racecar. Rarely started. Probably started it 5-10 times in the last couple months. Recently I noticed water coming out of my exhaust. The water is COLD, even when the motor is completely warmed up. The more you rev it, the more water comes out. The headgasket is new, torqued down to specs. Did a compression test, 195-200 across. I checked the oil and there is no water/water wetter in it. I then pulled the oil cap and noticed the milky residue that is common to a blown headgasket. So I pulled the valvecover and noticed more of this on the underside of it. However, the residue isnt in the oil in the head. Just on the valvecover. Anyone think that maybe it could just be condensation from the motor just sitting most of the time? I have heard that this happens to alot of racecars, not sure why though. Maybe condensation/water gets trapped in the exhaust? Any of you ever experience this? I have an event in a couple weeks and am a little conserned about this. Anyways here is a picture of what the valvecover looked like when I pulled it. Motor is a d16a6.

 

How long does it run out of the exhaust? If not long (seconds not lots of minutes) then I think its just condensation.

 

And it's safe to assume there is no cat?

 

Well, sometimes it is just a couple mins, sometimes longer. And sometimes when I first fire the motor up, there will be no water at all. Then I give it a few quick revs and cold water will shoot out of the tailpipe. The last time I tracked the car, I noticed the water, but after a few mins on track, it went away. That could have been the beginning of the problem? And now its worse? But then again, I havent driven the car since then. Just started it a few times.

Yes, there is no cat. 2.5" piping to a Dynomax resonator, exiting near passanger rear tire.

I am going to do a leakdown test beginning of next week. Knocking on wood that all goes well...

 

Do the leakdown, and listen to the exhaust during the test. Hopefully you won't hear anything.

Warren

 

A friend is going to come over and help with the test. What should I be listening for from the exhaust? And what is considered "ok" percentage wise from the leakdown test? 5%?

 

I'd wager you don't find anything. You need to start that car up, and let it run for a good half hour... that'l help evaporate all the water that's accumulated in the motor...

Dan

 

Well, ideally, you don't want to hear anything coming out of the exhaust. Nor do you want to see bubbles in the overflow tank.

If you're under 5% on all 4, you're okay.

Warren

 

Thank you guys. Now I'm eager to get the leakdown test underway.

 

Let us know how it goes...I have the same thing on my CRX, but the water has what looks to be carbon in it.

I think it just accumulates from moisture in the air and the heat in the engine/exhaust mixing and cooling in there, and when you start it back up, the water comes out. I see newer cars with water coming out of the exhaust all the time in the morning. I wouldn't worry too much about it.

Alex

 

I was reading the Howstuffworks page and saw this.

"The main emissions of a car engine are:

Nitrogen gas (N2) - Air is 78-percent nitrogen gas, and most of this passes right through the car engine.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) - This is one product of combustion. The carbon in the fuel bonds with the oxygen in the air.
Water vapor (H2O) - This is another product of combustion. The hydrogen in the fuel bonds with the oxygen in the air. "