When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
AC condensation dripping onto exhaust pipe - normal?
On particularly humid days when the AC is cranking out more condensation than normal, I've noticed that the water drips right onto the hot exhaust pipe. I first noticed it after parking and hearing a "psssst" sound as the water burns off. This can't be normal...less than 2200 miles on the car now, garaged, no situation that would be causing any kind of drip tube clog.
I don't have a picture right now but if I remember correctly, the dripping occurs between mid-car and the front axle, directly onto the exhaust.
On particularly humid days when the AC is cranking out more condensation than normal, I've noticed that the water drips right onto the hot exhaust pipe. I first noticed it after parking and hearing a "psssst" sound as the water burns off. This can't be normal...less than 2200 miles on the car now, garaged, no situation that would be causing any kind of drip tube clog.
I don't have a picture right now but if I remember correctly, the dripping occurs between mid-car and the front axle, directly onto the exhaust.
My 2014 Q5 does this. At first I was concerned, but quickly forgot about it and there haven't been any adverse affects over the past 2 ridiculously hot Texas summers.
I remember, not with Audi but on the bmw x5, it was dripping on the front axle. In time causes rust and break the axle. In this case, it could lead to a hole in the pipe. Not that it would be anytime soon, maybe 20 years. 5 years if you live in the rust belt . Then again, it wouldn't be catastrophic failure. Just a free deep exhaust tone.
Where it drips at idle is not the same as where it will drip while moving. If you spend a lot of time in traffic, it could be an issue long term. For most vehicles, it likely won't. Less of an issue in a 4 season climate as well where there's less condensation year round.
Exactly at the exhaust bend in that link's picture. I had seen that post, maybe I need to revisit it.
Here's a pic I just took, about 1.5 hour after driving, low 80's temperature when driving. It can't be good to have water sitting there for so long time after time. Several drops at top of pic at exhaust bend and pool in ground...engine to right...
09-21-2015, 11:05 AM
AC condensation dripping onto exhaust pipe - normal?
