Drip leak from a can like part in the exhaust which is under the right back seat

Tiny
DELLUNAA
  • MEMBER
  • 2021 DODGE RAM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 7,000 MILES
I began seeing this drip leak after my first oil change. It is leaking at the bottom center forward end of this round can that the exhaust runs through. I wiped the drip off and it started to drip faster. I wiped it the other direction and it stopped. It seems the hole gets clogged and will stop for a while then start dripping again. It feels like water, with no taste to the drip. It looks like the exhaust pipe is attached to the can type part located under the right side back seat. You have been a great help trouble shooting my old 2004 in the past and I thank you for that. Thanks, Jim Felland
Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 3:05 PM

2 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
You're describing a normal operation. When the emissions system is working properly, the exhaust is so clean, you can suck on the tail pipe and live to tell about it. The exhaust gas is carbon dioxide and water vapor. Typically, you'll see the condensed water vapor dripping from the tail pipe. When it has already condensed inside the muffler or resonator, water left standing in it overnight promotes corrosion. To prevent that, they drill a tiny hole on the bottom, usually on the back side, for that water to drip out. You're less likely to see that right after a long run at highway speed as that gets the exhaust system hotter, then the water is still in vapor form leaving the tail pipe.

Check out this article for more information on exhaust systems:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-exhaust-systems-work

I drive the same model truck, but a 2014. I just looked at it and found the drain holes. The one at the back of the muffler has my red arrow pointing to it in the first drawing. The blue arrow in the second drawing is pointing to the drain hole in the exhaust tip. It's about an inch from the rear of that pipe. Those pipes have a rounded edge where water could collect if it wasn't for those drain holes.
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 6:34 PM
Tiny
DELLUNAA
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Thanks again guys, the dealership put it on the rack and came up with the same answer you all did!
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Monday, March 28th, 2022 AT 4:27 PM

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