found water where I shouldn't
 

So I was installing headers and I found water in the left rear exhaust port. Head gasket? Are there any channels on the head that could leak. Looks to be quite slow as water is only going down very slowly and no smoke. Also find no evidence of water in oil. Oil level is static. Ideas? Thanks.

How much liquid? Temperature outside? Possible it was condensation.

Most likely condensation. It's not uncommon to see some condensation when doing exhaust jobs. I've seen it every time my exhaust has come off after all :)

Sincerely,

Zach
Delicious Tuning

Maybe like 10 to 15 drops.. wiped it away 3 times with finger to absorb. All of inside the on the one side of that left rear port. Only on the one port. The gasket also has rust on that exact location. Temp was around 98 degrees. This is the second time I have seen water in that exact location during header work.

@Zach nice talking to you again. Do you notice it in an isolated location like that?.
I notice it in the front pipe and over pipe and never mind but so isolated in one port freaked me out.

Are you seeing fresh clean pure water, or coolant?

That's hard to tell since it's in the exhaust port near the rear most valve. It's a bit covered in soot by the time I find it.

do the taste test, if it is any bit of sweet you have a coolant leak.

its condensation...

Most likely condensation like the other guys said and all cars get it. The combo of heat and condensation is why standard exhaust systems rot out so bad.

I think it may be condensation because there was a flange point leak at that exact location as evidenced on the gasket and flange

Chase it with some coolant see if it tastes the same lol


But in all seriousness its most likely condensation, the only thing i can think of otherwise would be bent gasket allowing a slight bit of water in.

Water is always a byproduct of a hydrocarbon oxidation. In this case its gasoline being oxidized in the combustion chamber. Ever noticed water dripping out of tail pipes of cars or light steam emission? That's water vapor in the exhaust gases. Manufactures typically select a low grade stainless, often feritic like a 400 series. Most aftermarket will select a higher grade stainless in the 300 series. Both will offer a much higher level of corrosion resistance over plain jane low carbon sheet steel... which would rust out almost immediately due to the corrosive conditions. More than likely you are seeing condensation around your exhaust ports.

Probably condensation, these engines produce a surprising amount.

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvZuYkh3Qb0"]Water shooting from straight piped FR-S - YouTube[/ame]