Leaking issue
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2025
Posts: 25
Likes: 1
Leaking issue
Hello. Just picked up a 1986 corvette looking to work on it, but am new to corvettes and am having a leaking issue. Would anyone know where this is coming from or how to fix. Again, I am a complete newbie with corvettes looking to learn anything I can. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Chapel Hill NC
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If its brownish and oily feeling its probably engine oil and could be coming from a number of places. Id start by looking the engine compartment with a strong light. Id also keep an eye on the oil level in the engine.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 150
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From: Northridge, CA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,311
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From: Vermilion OH
After reviewing the pictures, it appears to be dripping water from the exhaust system. You likely have a weak seal at a weld. The exhaust appears to have been modified or repaired and the section thats leaking the water is likely at a low point or is the lowest point in the exhaust system. The water will pool in the mufflers at times and the LT1 and LT4 cars have drain holes in the mufflers specifically to drain the accumulated condensation in the exhaust system. When you accurate at full throttle, it will blow the water out. Doesn't hurt to blow it out on the on ramp now and again. At any rate, this is normal and if the exhaust were original and unmodified, you would not see too much of the water on the ground.
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From: Communist Colorado
Its water.... a by-product of the internal combustion process is water. It might be brownish from the rust in your exhaust
Burning one gallon of gasoline produces approximately 1 to 1.05 gallons of water in the form of water vapor, with the exact amount depending on the fuel's composition and the efficiency of the combustion process. This water vapor is a natural byproduct of the chemical reaction, where the hydrogen in the fuel combines with oxygen from the air.
Burning one gallon of gasoline produces approximately 1 to 1.05 gallons of water in the form of water vapor, with the exact amount depending on the fuel's composition and the efficiency of the combustion process. This water vapor is a natural byproduct of the chemical reaction, where the hydrogen in the fuel combines with oxygen from the air.
Last edited by 81c3; Sep 6, 2025 at 07:39 PM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2025
Posts: 485
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Its water.... a by-product of the internal combustion process is water. It might be brownish from the rust in your exhaust
Burning one gallon of gasoline produces approximately 1 to 1.05 gallons of water in the form of water vapor, with the exact amount depending on the fuel's composition and the efficiency of the combustion process. This water vapor is a natural byproduct of the chemical reaction, where the hydrogen in the fuel combines with oxygen from the air.
Burning one gallon of gasoline produces approximately 1 to 1.05 gallons of water in the form of water vapor, with the exact amount depending on the fuel's composition and the efficiency of the combustion process. This water vapor is a natural byproduct of the chemical reaction, where the hydrogen in the fuel combines with oxygen from the air.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
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From: Mid-Atlantic
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I would replace that exhaust pipe if it were me.
It's starting to rot away, particularly there at the connection where the condensation is leaking.
It's starting to rot away, particularly there at the connection where the condensation is leaking.