Nissan Repair: Car Leak, nissan maxima, water burns

Question
Hi Bill:

I have a 1999 Nissan Maxima with about 180,000 miles. While sitting stationary with the engine running for about an hour, I got out of the car and noticed a stream of water that I determined was dripping from my muffler. Is this something to be concerned about? Thanks in advance.

Answer
Not at all! Actually it's good news! It indicates that the catalytic converter does it's job. The combustion by-products, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, are actually partially burned fuel. Combustion is never complete, meaning that any fuel it does not burn completely. In order to help the fuel to burn further, thus reducing emissions, we incorporate a catalyst which it can reach very high temperatures and help burn these by products further and turn them into water. (burns the carbons in the water, the HYDROCARBONS) so only the water remains and of course it drips out of the exhaust pipe. It's perfectly normal!