Muffler dripping?

[Sardaukar]

I just pulled my Jeep into the garage and noticed a small puddle forming near the back. It looks like the muffler is dripping. Is that a small hole? I'm not a car guy, but the muffler shouldn't have liquid coming out of it. And I didn't drive it today, just moving it around the driveway as I was installing skid plates. Thoughts?

This is a 2023 JLUR with about 4100 miles on it.

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[Heimkehr]

I just pulled my Jeep into the garage and noticed a small puddle forming near the back. It looks like the muffler is dripping. Is that a small hole?

I'm not a car guy, but the muffler shouldn't have liquid coming out of it.

There does appear to be a small perforation at the base of that small rust triangle.

Also, there are several reasons why liquid may or will drip from the exhaust's outlet(s), sans leaks occurring elsewhere.

 

[autotragic]

Water does in fact drip from most exhaust especially after a start up as condensation builds up in the system after the engine is shut off. Completely normal. Also most factory exhaust have small drain holes in the mufflers too. In fact other pictures of Wrangler mufflers show a small hole in that same exact location which leads me to believe that is the purpose of it.

 

[Camaroboi13]

It’s water/condensation. Completely normal. All vehicles equipped with catalytic converters are designed to do this. The hole is there to prevent your muffler from rusting out with standing water inside of it.

 

[Sardaukar]

Ok, thanks all. Sounds normal then. I know it can drip from condensation after driving it a bunch, but I didn't drive it today except for just moving it from garage to driveway and back again. So it seemed unusual.

 

[Camaroboi13]

Ok, thanks all. Sounds normal then. I know it can drip from condensation after driving it a bunch, but I didn't drive it today except for just moving it from garage to driveway and back again. So it seemed unusual.

You’ll also get a nice healthy puddle after sitting for a few minutes with the AC on. So if you back out of a parking space and see a puddle it’s normal.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

The exhaust system begins to warm up if you just start it and move it, or take it on a short drive. After the engine is shut off, as it cools, condensation forms in the system and settles at the low points. It can also happen if the engine idles for while. There is a weep hole in the muffler for this reason, so that it doesn't rust out.

It usually takes a fully warmed engine, running for a few miles to boil the water from the system. This can show as white steam coming from the tailpipe after the engine is started, even on a relatively warm day.

It's a good idea to take it out once a week or so and run it good for about 20 minutes. Not only does condensation form in the exhaust, but in the oil as well. A good, full temp run will burn off the condensation in the exhaust and oil.

 

[Sardaukar]

You’ll also get a nice healthy puddle after sitting for a few minutes with the AC on. So if you back out of a parking space and see a puddle it’s normal.

I expect that for A/C, but this Jeep hasn't even had the A/C turned on yet. Was only 50 out today.

It's a good idea to take it out once a week or so and run it good for about 20 minutes. Not only does condensation form in the exhaust, but in the oil as well. A good, full temp run will burn off the condensation in the exhaust and oil.

It's my daily driver, I just didn't go anywhere today. Instead I was installing skid plates today before getting her off-road in April.

 

[Heimkehr]

I know it can drip from condensation after driving it a bunch, but I didn't drive it today except for just moving it from garage to driveway and back again. So it seemed unusual.

Coincidentally, I had the Jeep idling in the garage this afternoon for a few minutes as I was testing a new electric accessory (I didn't want to drain the battery while doing so.)

The engine was shut down after maybe 7 minutes, at which point I noticed a small but unmistakable puddle of condensation just below the muffler outlet. As mentioned, quite normal.

 

[Terrymo]

Your Jeep is just marking it‘s territory. Perfectly normal as you now know.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

I just pulled my Jeep into the garage and noticed a small puddle forming near the back. It looks like the muffler is dripping. Is that a small hole? I'm not a car guy, but the muffler shouldn't have liquid coming out of it. And I didn't drive it today, just moving it around the driveway as I was installing skid plates. Thoughts?

This is a 2023 JLUR with about 4100 miles on it.

Normal.... as expected....

and yes, the hole is suppose to be there. There is also a hole in the exhaust resonator that water will drip out of.

 

[Carolina Jeeper]

Perfectly normal unless its excessive. That's a weep hole to expell pooling moisture from the system. All internal combustion engines have moisture in the exhaust. It condensates at the far end away from the engine.

The air the engine breathes in has moisture in it. That same moisture just exits the tail pipe and it condenses on its way out. Thus dripping on the ground.

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