Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

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ccrunner
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Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

Post by ccrunner »

As the title says, does it make sense to purposefully drill a small hole or two into the bottom of the exhaust pipe?

I ask this because I've just completed my 'new' exhaust system (here): viewtopic.php?f=36&t=19397&start=885 , and I've noticed that a fair amount of water/condensation runs through the system at start up/ when she's cold and warming up. This was easily noticed because I had a few loose joints and incomplete welds during fabrication, and at each of these areas water would puddle under the car.. I know condensation in a cold engine/exhaust is normal, but it creates more water than I thought it would..

So now that the exhaust system is truly sealed up as it should be (no more water escaping along the run), would it make sense to drill a few small (maybe 1/8") holes into the bottom side of the system to help let the trapped water escape/ dry out? I do not have 02 sensors or cats downstream to worry about, but I am wondering just how much water 'sits' in a car's exhaust under normal operation?

If it matters, this car is a toy and is rarely used, meaning it's somewhat rare for it to be run long or hard and brought up to temp (thus burning off the trapped water).. the car can sit for weeks at a time without use.. Finally, I have a slight kick upward at the very end of the tailpipe exit, so it is not possible for this particular system to simply gravity drain..

Thoughts? :?

thanks-

--ccrunner
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Dean

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Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F
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Re: Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

Post by Miatav8,MstrASE,A&P,F »

I would not bother. You didn't say what grade of stainless was used but I'm guessing 4series which rusts. That is what most barbecue stainless grills are made from.
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DemoMike
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Re: Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

Post by DemoMike »

Can't you just pick it up and hang it on the wall when you're done driving?
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Lonnie-S
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Re: Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

Post by Lonnie-S »

I think you'd find it very annoying. Have you ever had a exhaust system with a bad weld with holes in it? I have. It drives you nuts until you fix it.

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rx7locost
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Re: Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

Post by rx7locost »

I actually punched a hole in the muffler of my 1st car just to get that "teenage" sound experience.
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BB69
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Re: Drilling water drain holes into an exhaust system?

Post by BB69 »

I spent 8 years working for one of the world's largest OEM exhaust suppliers. Everything we made was stainless, mostly 400 series. We put drain holes in all of our mufflers. All stainless corrodes; just to different extents and over different lengths of times. For how easy it is to do, I would do it.
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