My 2007 Aspen 5.7 is parked on an incline front end up. I start it up to warm it up on a 30 Degree F morning. I see the usual condensation dripping from the tailpipe until it heats up. Strangely for the 1st time I see water dripping from about halfway underneath the truck. I get underneath and see that it is coming from the back underneath side of the muffler rear seam (sort of black water carbon and H20 I assume) and the muffler shows signs of corrosion on the bottom surface. There is nothing unusual about the exhaust sound – same as always since new.

My question is should I be concerned? Any worry I should have about changes in back pressure affecting the engine?

I found this part ( but don’t know of quality but it’s not a lot of money and the replacement seems straight forward.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...4BJ%2FLw%3D%3D

OEM exhaust sound is fine with me. Recommendations?

Thanks!

 

"The major products of the complete combustion of petroleum-based fuels in an internal combustion engine are carbon dioxide (13%) and water (13%), with nitrogen from air comprising most (73%) of the remaining exhaust. A very small portion of the nitrogen is converted to nitrogen oxides and some nitrated hydrocarbons."
Aka water vapor when its hot from the engine and cold outside. Just like you can see your breath when it cold outside.

 

Thanks but I was asking if a hole in the muffler (seam) leaking condensation is a point of worry - modified engine back pressure from a leaking exhaust system?

 

I have seen many mufflers drip small amounts of water from the back lower portion of them. In fact, I've seen some that had a tiny hole drilled in the back lower side of them from OEM just for this drain off. I wouldn't worry about it. The external metal you see with the seam is just a cover for the internal components. When the temperature outside is cold and the internal components heat up, this causes condensation between the internal components and exterior shield which drips out.

Now if you start seeing exhaust gas smoke coming out of it (would be more visible in the colder weather), then I would have concerns about replacing the muffler.

 

Thank you very much for your insight. Much Appreciated!
Happy Holidays

 

If you look closely the muffler has a small pin hole to let water out. Designed that way for numerous rerasons. No worries.