I am finding an inordinate amount of water (presumed condensation) in the mufflers on my '94 Tbird. Mufflers threaten to rust out.
Is this normal? If so, why didn't they do stainless exhaust components?
Any way to keep mufflers from rusting out?
Thx, Willie
The condensation is likely normal. As far as rusting out the mufflers and Ford using SS exhaust, the mufflers are already 14 years old. If they are not rusted through yet, what is the worry. They may eventually rust through, but at this point they are on bonus time anyway.
- The condensation is likely normal. As far as rusting out the mufflers
- and Ford using SS exhaust, the mufflers are already 14 years old. If
- they are not rusted through yet, what is the worry. They may
- eventually rust through, but at this point they are on bonus time
- anyway.
I bought a 1997 Geo Metro new in '97 & in '03, the exhaust pipe had a rust hole in it. Didn't quite get 14 years out of it but it was parked on the Florida oceanfront for six years before I moved to Maine (where the roads provide more salt than the ocean did). I eventually sold it to my aunt when I bought my new Ranger in late '04. Checked the bottom last week at the do it yourself car wash & so far no rust anywhere.
I just look at things. If badly deteriorated and no obvious reason, I ask "Why?". The mufflers looked solid. There's just too much water back there.
Thangs cost a fortune to replace. I been outa work 7 years.
I ain't young. Can't recall any my previous cars with perpetually water-soaked mufflers. Numerous GM 283's, Volks, Toyota.
That's one way to look at it, I suppose.
But I just don't understand why the 4.6 gens so much water out the exhaust. H2O is a natural product of combustion, but it normally vaporizes before it reaches the muffler. No?
Willie
Drill 1/8" holes at the lowest point of the rear of the muffler. I usually do it when I first get a car if the muffler does not have them already.
I suspect you are running a lot of short trips, and the mufflers are never really getting up to a proper operating temperature to dry out. I suspect also this system IS stainless steel - not a shiny polished type, but a fairly resistant alloy, or it would be gone a long time ago. Aluminized systems were sometimes good for 10 years, mild steel generally 5 or less.
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