VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Water bubbling from exhaust gasket connection

I noticed that on start up I am getting a small amount of water bubling out from the exhaust connectin to the head in between 4&5 cylinders. Any Ideas?

Is there clear water or antifreeze in the cooling system? If its clear water I would suspect you have a cracked head or leaking head gasket.

Possibly just a loose gasket connection. When the engine warms up is there any exhaust leak? I know when I start up my 32 and it is cold there is lots of moisture out the exh pipe. That also contributes to short muffler life if the engine doesn't run long enough to get up to temperature and the exh system heated to clear out the moisture. If it continues all the time and there is coolant loss then that's a different situation.

I agree with Chev Nut, sounds like you have a cracked head to me. Your talking up on top, not down by the head gasket right?

Its at the point were the exhaust manifold meets the head. I was using just water to check for leaks. There is a small exhaust leak once the engin is up to temperature. I switched out the water with antifreze. If the leak continues and its antifreze then well that would suck.

I would pull the spark plugs on either side of the exhaust port that is leaking. No sense in continuing running if antifreeze is getting in the cylinder as that will cause a lot more damage. If the water stops leaking when at temp then that to me is a good sign. Fix the leaking exh gasket and if the plugs don't show signs of water in the cylinder you should be ok.

Hello Jack Kennedy,
It sounds like exhaust gasses bubbling through the water that you are applying to check for leaks, is that correct, or is water leaking out of the engine around the exhaust manifold gasket area? Use dishwashing soap instead of water for checking for air/exhaust leaks. If the soap bubbles appear and fill with air/exhaust, I'd say an exhaust gasket is leaking. If the soap bubbles appear and are filling with water/antifreeze, then suspect the head to have issues. Make sure when replacing manifold gaskets, that the mating surfaces need to be clean and dry and straight. Use a framing square as a straight edge for checking straightness. If necessary, resurfacing the mating surfaces might be called for. Check with the auto parts store for the proper gasket sealer for manifolds. Permatex Copper comes to mind, but don't remember for sure. Good luck. edit: Rereading the posts, I'm not sure if you're using water internally or externally for the leak check.

Looks like im in luck.I changed out the water with antifrezz ,retourqued the head and snugged up on the exhaust manifold nuts.The leak slowed down but didnt stop compleatly. good news is the moisture that is still bubbling out is a bit dirty but not antifrezz. The exhaust isnt white ither.Thanks for all the help on this one .Ill post my next question after I do some reading on the trany more spacificaly the free whelling device.Sure is great having this site and all of the great expeiense that comes with it Thanks again to all. JSK