However, excessive amounts of water from the exhaust could indicate a problem:
* Head gasket leak: This is a serious issue. A blown or leaking head gasket allows coolant to enter the cylinders, where it's burned and expelled as steam from the exhaust. This often is accompanied by white, milky exhaust smoke, overheating, low coolant levels, and possibly loss of compression.
* Cracked engine block or cylinder head: Similar to a head gasket leak, this allows coolant to mix with combustion gases.
* Coolant leak into the intake manifold: Coolant leaking into the intake manifold will also result in steam from the exhaust. You might also notice sweet-smelling exhaust.
To determine if it's a problem, consider these points:
* Amount of water: Is it just a small amount of condensation, or a significant stream?
* Color of the exhaust: White smoke, especially if milky in appearance, strongly suggests coolant is mixing with the combustion process. Blue smoke indicates burning oil.
* Engine temperature: Is the engine overheating?
* Coolant level: Is the coolant level in the radiator and overflow tank consistently dropping?
* Smell of the exhaust: A sweet smell indicates coolant.
* Performance issues: Is the engine running poorly, losing power, or misfiring?
If you are seeing more than just normal condensation, or experiencing any of the other symptoms mentioned above, take your Taurus to a mechanic immediately. Ignoring a coolant leak can lead to catastrophic engine damage. A proper diagnosis is crucial to prevent further problems and expensive repairs.
