Yellowish liquid coming from exhaust?

Hello, I have a 1991 2+2 TT import, only owned for 6 months

I today noticed, after getting out of my car (engine still iddling cause of turbo timer) white smoke coming from exhaust and on closer inspection also noticed a yellowish, slimey liquid dripping from the exhaust. Any idea what this may be, and should i be concerned?



This has me a bit on edge as there is also other problems im having the car and im not sure if they could be related - ie really rough throttle response until car gets to temperature and poor fuel economy (which im hoping a S2 PTU that im ordering today will solve) as well as a couple of concerning noises from engine bay.

I'll be the first to admit that im young and inexperienced with this stuff so all ideas and suggestions will be taken on board.

Thanks

 

The fact that there is water dripping indicates the engine & exhaust system are not at operating temperature.
The yellowish substance is probably only a build up of exhaust products being washed out of the exhaust with the water.
Don't be fooled into thinking a series II PTU is going to solve problems.
No point changing the original PTU if it is functioning correctly.

 

Thanks for reply,
That seems like a logical explanation to the yellowish water however that means the white smoke is a different problem altogether
And regarding the PTU, Im aware that this may not solve all problems but i have read throughout this forum that the S2 PTU has resolved rough idle problems and improved poor economy for some members so I figured its worth a try.

 

The white smoke is probably steam from a bit colder morning and/or exhaust / motor not at operating temp, the yellow liquid would most likely be rusty water / condensate in the muffler, a byproduct of combustion of unleaded fuel is water along with others, there is a weep hole in the rear of some mufflers or they have rusted, they will eventually rust then you can replace them

 

Is there 'white smoke' present when the engine & exhaust have reached operating temperature?
If the answer is 'no' then the 'white smoke' is condensation.
Watch other cars that have been recently started on a cold morning.

 

Good idea to replace the S1 PTU anyway, money well spent.

 

Agree it's a good idea to change the series I PTU to a series II, if the series I is defective.
How could it be conceived as "money well spent" if the series I PTU is operating correctly?

 

Because sooner or later it'll go pop, probably at a shit time, and probably sooner rather than later.

#preventativemaintenance

 

I see, it's worked satisfactorily for around twenty odd years & a problem is about to arise.
Should we apply this type of "#preventativemaintenance" to all other components?

 

Only the ones that have a history of repeated failure and at the most inopportune time.

Should you not replace your turbo coolant hoses until they are pissing coolant everywhere on the side of the highway?

 

I'm with bRACKET on changing to a series 2 p.t.u. Spending money to stop a known problem from arising in the future no matter how small the chance is to me money well spent. I did mine and also bought a second as a spare even though the original was a series 2 , so yep now 2 spares as I would rather spend a little and keep a spare knowing that it may just help someone out on a cruise and save shat loads on a tow latter down the track. I always keep a radiator cap - p.t.u - and e.c.u as well as a bit of hose and some clamps in the back as even helping someone else out on a cruise helps me by keeping the cruise going. Crazy I know but just the way I roll.
Just my 2 bobs on that one.
As for the yellow stuff coming out it would not be the first time a mate has pissed up some one's exhaust pipe :rofl: though the give away is the smell . if not just condensation. My Zed only starts once a month at most and you should see the crap that spits out. Also just check your exhaust to make sure you have a X or H pipe as without they can ( but not always ) blow white smoke and stink at idle .
Cheers Dave

 

I have owned over twenty Z32s, not one S1 PTU failure. I have had two S2 PTU failures. If you are concerned about S1 PTUs, move them from the engine area to forward of radiator, Most S! PTU failures are caused by heat. Just my opinion.

 

How many k's have you done in them Martin? Heat is definitely a major contributing factor.

 

Thanks all for your replies, rusty water seems like a logical and less concerning outcome

 

Very easy to move the PTU to the chassis rail on the other side of the carbon canister, no cutting wires, just simply move them.