Tail pipe water fountain

[tarmac2dirt]

Any thoughts on excessive water blasting out the tail pipe during the first startup in morning. I know that condensation will put a little water but i think mine is more than just condensation. This has been going on for a few years and would like to hear what you guys might say. Cracked head or head gasket bad. This is a 1988 renix 4.0, were they known for cracking heads like some of the later 90 model 4.0's I live in a dry climate to, southern New Mexico desert. Coolant does drop slowly from reservoir but i think this is from a bad heater core as i can smell coolant in the cab. Please give me your thoughts, Thanks Paul

[Ωhm]

Water (H2O) is a byproduct of hydrocarbon combustion (gasoline engines), but don’t drink it.    Do you have a low spot somewhere along your exhaust pipe for water to puddle in after KEY OFF? If you don’t smell coolant, I’d say your good.

[jpnjake]

1 hour ago, tarmac2dirt said:

Any thoughts on excessive water blasting out the tail pipe during the first startup in morning. I know that condensation will put a little water but i think mine is more than just condensation. This has been going on for a few years and would like to hear what you guys might say. Cracked head or head gasket bad. This is a 1988 renix 4.0, were they known for cracking heads like some of the later 90 model 4.0's I live in a dry climate to, southern New Mexico desert. Coolant does drop slowly from reservoir but i think this is from a bad heater core as i can smell coolant in the cab. Please give me your thoughts, Thanks Paul

The only cracked head problems I’ve heard of are on 2000-01 4.0’s with a specific head, and from what I’ve seen, where the head cracks it allows coolant into the oil instead of the combustion chamber from what I’ve seen 

[Pete M]

if it's antifreeze, it'll smell like antifreeze.  if it's gas, it'll smell like gas.  if it's condensate water, it won't really smell like anything.   

[AZJeff]

4 hours ago, Pete M said:

if it's antifreeze, it'll smell like antifreeze.  if it's gas, it'll smell like gas.  if it's condensate water, it won't really smell like anything.   

Agreed,  and to elaborate on the response before the one from Pete, I will say, from personal experience, that a cracked head or head gasket won't manifest itself as water the the tailpipe.

 

The pressures from the combustion process will drive exhaust gases INTO the cooling system, not the other way around.   My first clue to a cracked head (yes, one from a 2000XJ with the infamous "0331" head casting) was funny looking oil.   The exhaust looked perfectly normal.

[cruiser54]

It's winter and this condition seems more noticeable. drive it. 

[MiNi Beast]

 another good indicator of bad head gasket is, lack of power and missing coolant. Run it.