Drips out tail pipe like running nose

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Sirriggs

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As some may know, I have been working to get my wife 99 Dodge Ram back on the road again. Had some light white smoke after first intake gasket change with no water in the oil. Figured some water was getting in a cylinder or two so I took everything back out and did another new replacement of gaskets only to rush and made it worse to the point water was in the oil. ( i was rushing and didn't get it properly set so again I yanked everything out and did the job for the third time and she is running great. Idling for a good 45 minutes and no smoke. Now it did light smoke at first but that seems to have gone away. I did notice that it drips like a runny nose but it's clean clear water. Check radiator but nothing seems to be low. I am going to run it some and do a check on the plugs to see if any of them are wet. Then go from there.

Now this truck sat for around 5 years and I am starting to think maybe running something in the oil to recondition the motor. I have heard when they sit like that. The seals may be a little hard which can also cause light smoke. I did put some Lucas trans fix in the tranny which has improved the slipping issues I had but shifting if off so I am going to keep adjusting the TV cable since it was taken off to do the intake. It seemed to shift better before this last round of gasket change. I am still planing on having it rebuilt down the road due to I feel that.s Lucas was more of a temp type fix. I have ran her on short runs on the road so it's coming together good.

This is what I have done so far.

Intake Gaskets
New Tiers
Driver side upper and lower ball joints ( Going to do passenger side and both tie rod ends next)
Drained and cleaned fuel tank
Ran Marvin Mystery oil though motor after it was starting to lock up when first started to work on her. Oil been changed now 3 times.
Replaced a few broken bolts. This was the first time I had bolts break working on it. lol

As you can see. It hasn't had to be worked on a lot. Some things ( Intake Gaskets) were due to me rushing. The truck only has around 169,000 miles on it. Once it's mechanically sound. It's on to the interior. As it's well known the dash is trashed. Headliner needs to be replaced and the driver side seat base needs to be replaced. Its just worn out from wear and tear. Going to replace the leather on the steering wheel.
 

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Daw14

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Could the drip just be condensation? Does it stop after the truck has been driven And brought to operating temp ?
 

bm02tj

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If tailpipe not hot go with condensation as above
 

GTyankee

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I always thought that the Cats were working, when i see water coming out of the tail pipe
 

Dodge 1500 4X4

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Probably condensation in the exhaust system, i would stay away from anything Lusas for the crankcase or transmission.
 
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Sirriggs

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I have ran the truck short distance. Its up to normal temps but it still lightly drips. I would think tail pipe should be hot but not sure. I got busy this weekend so I didn't get to pulling each plug to check them. The motor is running smooth with no signs of any misfire type so my guess is that water isn't the cylinders but just odd seeing the dripping. I can see on cold starts until the motor reaches temp.

As to Lucas. I did use it in transmission but even though it's a little better. I'm saving cash up to have it rebuilt. For now , I can at least drive it short distance to allow the motor to slowly break it's self back in. I did some reading on what to use to help soft seals back from sitting. It was a mixture of Bar's leak, Gum out and Marvin mystery oil. Running it for about a 100 miles then doing a oil change. It suppose to help with white smoke. Its suppose to help soft all the seals so everything can reset. I am going to do more research before I do anything. The white smoke is very light and off and on. Sometime while idling and sometimes after a short drive but most of the time is clears up so I'm thinking it from it sitting so long.

Oh, I also did a full tune up with new everything.
 
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Sirriggs

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Between work and crappy weather. Its been impossible to do much with the truck. I did start it up and let it run for about maybe 30 minutes or so. It was doing the usual. Dripping and light smoking but after that time, the smoke did seem to stop. I'm still trying to research what would be used to help maybe soften up the seals and maybe do some cleaning of the motor its self rings and such. This makes me scratch my head. The dripping is clean water but can't see really any color then what looks to be white smoke. Haven't put in any anti freeze at this point but maybe this weekend go get some and drain it down and refill it with some 50/50.

I don't mean to drive anyone crazy. just clueless to why this is going on? It maybe might have to wait till I can get the transmission done, then doing a highway run so it can get a good long run and see if maybe that will clear some of these issues. I may just be over stressing over nothing? Thanks for your information and feed back. My goal is to see it back on the road as soon as I can. Thanks
 

Daw14

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The dripping is not a thing to give anymore thought . My tailpipes can be touched after the engine is at operating temp. Your truck is okay.
 

Octane

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If the engine smokes for several seconds or so after truck has been sitting for 1 to three days the valve seals/ guides are the issue.And usually you can run it like that for a very long time.In my experience with so many of my "not so fine" vehicles I've had over many years.
As far as seals,I never condition the seals unless they leak.I've got a 45 yo truck now with good seals still in it.Used a little tranny fluid with the stop leak in it to stop a front seal leak on it.So far it hasn't leaked again in many years.I replace the fluid every few years with the Prestone tranny fluid that has the stop leak in it.
 
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Sirriggs

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It will lightly smoke for maybe 30 minutes plus. It changes from time to time.. Sometimes it will smoke a little heavier for short periods, then settle down to the light smoke but nothing real bad a intake is leaking. I start this truck every few days and let it run for at least around 30 minutes. I try and do short drives on the weekend so it isn't just sitting in one spot. Until I can get the trans mission rebuilt, it very limited what i can do for now. I am hoping that allowing it to run and short drive will help some. Like I said. I may be over thinking this as well. Thanks for giving your opinions and advice.
 
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Sirriggs

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Well as Florida is known for, we had a cooler morning around 40 degrees so I thought I would start it and watch what it does. Did the normal cool weather smoke but with no dripping. It did start as soon as it seemed to reach warm motor temps but wasn't really much water dripping as I would normally see. As it warmed up. The smoke was very light so my guess would be once up and fully running around like a normal truck would, then most likely will settle down. My hope is to have the transmission rebuilt by this summer so I can finally make her my daily driver. Once a few more things are updated, then interior will be my next adventure. :)
 

Brian2081

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Tail pipe dripping is condensation, my 2016 does this depending on outside temp. Check that off the list.
Short runs are not good for the oil as the oil is not getting hot enough or staying hot enough to "burn off condensation caused by short runs".
 
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Sirriggs

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Gotcha. Short runs is what I can do now till transmission is rebuilt. Since I just put new tires on it, sitting isn't an option. lol. I also start it and let it run for maybe 30 minutes every 3 to 4 days. Thank for information guys
 
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Sirriggs

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That's true but making small trips to the store or where ever at least gives it some driving time. It's just nice to see it not sitting as it has for around 5 years when I couldn't do anything to it.
 

Wulf

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As with the others, especially if the truck has been sitting for a while, if there is any air space in the fuel tank, then it could have collected some water in the fuel tank, and it is just likely getting rid of any water either in the fuel from when it was purchased (it happens, but in small amounts), or any moisture that has collected in the tank since.
 

RodeoRam

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Most of the water running out of everyone's exhaust pipes is the product of the combustion of hydrocarbons. My science teacher in high school taught us that.

https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/air-quality/hydrocarbons "Burning hydrocarbons in the presence of oxygen (O2) produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O)."

Now, when the hydrocarbon being burned is not pure or the combustion is not complete, impurities are produced which is where carbon monoxide (CO), among others, comes from. (That's why I don't run my ventless gas log fireplace at home.)

This water from the combustion is why, if you only run your engine for short periods and don't get your exhaust system above 212 deg F for longer periods, water will collect in the exhaust pipe, catcon, and muffler and shorten their lifespan due to rust unless it is a high grade stainless. But, there will still be water vapor that when the exhaust system cools off will turn back into liquid water and sit in the system until it gets hot again. This is the value of the stainless systems.
 
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Sirriggs

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It's actually has improved where little to nothing at this point. I think a lot of things will settle out once it's up and running. Thanks Guys
 

Rlaf75

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Get on the highway and drive the thing. Short drive cycles or just idling for 30 minutes does not allow for the condensation to be burnt off. In fact doing that only adds to the problem. Drive it, go somewhere far away and stop idling it. It needs to be driven
 
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Sirriggs

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Until transmission is back up able. It will have to wait but it will see the hwy for sure. It needs a really good run.
 

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