• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Explorer ST Forum and Explorer ST community dedicated to Explorer ST owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the Explorer ST Forum today!


PSA for those with Aftermarket Exhaust

M

MrBigglesworrth

Member
#1
Messages
102
Reactions
64
Points
27
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
#1
This might be common knowledge and I might just be an idiot, but if you have aftermarket exhaust you might want to consider adding weep holes. I have Thermal 3” and I had to remove the resonators and they were absolutely filled with water. If I had to guess I’d say 16-20oz’s, maybe more. It did not disappear by running the vehicle. I always thought it sounded kind of raspy under hard acceleration. I’m guessing this is why. It no longer sounds that way and sounds as it should. I live in Florida so your mileage may vary.
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#2
Messages
4,640
Reactions
5,543
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#2
I’ve been doing that for decades…try to tell people but usually nobody listens.
 

2020FordRaptor

2020FordRaptor

1000 Post Club
#3
Messages
1,578
Reactions
764
Points
162
Location
Nevada
Vehicle
'20 Raptor, '22 Explorer ST, '14 GT500, '03 F150
#3
UNBROKEN said:
I’ve been doing that for decades…try to tell people but usually nobody listens.
Click to expand...
People not listening to something that makes sense NEVER! I know our Raptor spits out a lot of water sometimes from the exhaust and after putting in weep holes it sounds better too.
 

THNX SVT

THNX SVT

Member
#4
Messages
58
Reactions
49
Points
17
Location
Nashville, TN, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#4
I’ve been meaning to post on this issue for awhile. I have CVF DP’s and a Thermal 3” exhaust, and there’s definitely water in there since the ST sees more than its fair share of in-town trips. I’d greatly appreciate it someone provide some input on how many weep holes I should drill, what size to drill them and approximately where I should locate them.
 

C

Cblue

Member
#5
Messages
40
Reactions
19
Points
2
Location
Arizona
Vehicle
2022 explorer ST
#5
I mean a good WOT pull should get that exhaust hot enough to evaporate any water in the system.
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#6
Messages
4,640
Reactions
5,543
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#6
Cblue said:
I mean a good WOT pull should get that exhaust hot enough to evaporate any water in the system.
Click to expand...
You would think…but it doesn’t always work that way. There’s a reason factory mufflers have weep holes.
 

UNBROKEN

UNBROKEN

4000 Post Club
#7
Messages
4,640
Reactions
5,543
Points
352
Location
Houston, TX, USA
#7
THNX SVT said:
I’ve been meaning to post on this issue for awhile. I have CVF DP’s and a Thermal 3” exhaust, and there’s definitely water in there since the ST sees more than its fair share of in-town trips. I’d greatly appreciate it someone provide some input on how many weep holes I should drill, what size to drill them and approximately where I should locate them.
Click to expand...
3/16” is more than enough…either the front or lowest end of the muffler right at the seam and in the center.
 

OP
M

MrBigglesworrth

Member
Thread Starter #9
Messages
102
Reactions
64
Points
27
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Thread Starter #9
THNX SVT said:
I’ve been meaning to post on this issue for awhile. I have CVF DP’s and a Thermal 3” exhaust, and there’s definitely water in there since the ST sees more than its fair share of in-town trips. I’d greatly appreciate it someone provide some input on how many weep holes I should drill, what size to drill them and approximately where I should locate them.
Click to expand...
What Unbroken said. I’ll take a picture in a little of where I put mine. But I just put my finger in the resonator to find where would make the most sense and drilled there.
 

E

Eljaber

Member
#10
Messages
107
Reactions
38
Points
27
Location
Chicago IL
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#10
Interesting. Looking forward to some pics of where people put theirs!
 

OP
M

MrBigglesworrth

Member
Thread Starter #11
Messages
102
Reactions
64
Points
27
Location
Jacksonville, FL, USA
Thread Starter #11
THNX SVT said:
I’ve been meaning to post on this issue for awhile. I have CVF DP’s and a Thermal 3” exhaust, and there’s definitely water in there since the ST sees more than its fair share of in-town trips. I’d greatly appreciate it someone provide some input on how many weep holes I should drill, what size to drill them and approximately where I should locate them.
Click to expand...
 

Attachments

THNX SVT

THNX SVT

Member
#12
Messages
58
Reactions
49
Points
17
Location
Nashville, TN, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#12
Thanks @UNBROKEN and @MrBigglesworrth for the input. I can also tell I have some water at the bottom of the DP’s as I can see the nasty stainless/exhaust drippage spots on my garage floor. Do you or anyone else have any thoughts on adding weep holes somewhere closer to the DP’s in addition to the ones in the mufflers?
 

C

CoHPhasor

Member
#13
Messages
297
Reactions
177
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#13
Closer to the downpipes? I don't know that I'd advise that.
1. You would be letting out exhaust gas under the cabin, which is a nono and will fail inspections
2. Exhaust is far louder when you're closer to the engine, so you'll be letting out noise
3. Turbos work best when exhaust flow is smooth, as interference messes with the pressure differential - it may be minimal but I wouldn't add any possible issues

Generally speaking, air tubes are water tubes, so when going uphill, the water flows towards the back anyway (Which is where I would put my holes - towards the back of the muffler).
 

S

StarWhite22

Member
U.S. Army Veteran
#14
Messages
67
Reactions
29
Points
17
Location
New York
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
#14
Curious why most aftermarket exhausts don’t come with them? Seems like something that would make sense to do but I’m sure there’s a cost benefit analysis that wins out.
 

E

Eljaber

Member
#15
Messages
107
Reactions
38
Points
27
Location
Chicago IL
Vehicle
2022 Explorer ST
#15
Curious, what are the long term effects if water continues to buildup? Besides the obvious of possibly rusting/corroding?
 

C

CoHPhasor

Member
#16
Messages
297
Reactions
177
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#16
Eljaber said:
Curious, what are the long term effects if water continues to buildup? Besides the obvious of possibly rusting/corroding?
Click to expand...
Just that, really.
You are unlikely to build up enough water to cause water to roll down the pipes to the exhaust manifold and get in, as you usually drive forward, pushing water to the back, allowing it to exit. You are not going to fully block exhaust from escaping, as your muffler does not vertically exit, so water levels can't be higher than the bottom of the exhaust tube.
It's just nice to not be carrying water, and it doesn't hurt that you don't form a lot of rust or corrosion. (Even stainless steel is susceptible)
 

THNX SVT

THNX SVT

Member
#17
Messages
58
Reactions
49
Points
17
Location
Nashville, TN, USA
Vehicle
2021 Explorer ST
#17
Thanks all for the input. I drilled two weep holes in the mufflers and drained just over 15 fluid ounces from the exhaust. Pics attached, and I promise it’s not pee. IMG_4890.jpeg
 

Attachments

C

CoHPhasor

Member
#18
Messages
297
Reactions
177
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
#18
That, is a lot of fluid!
still soundd good, right?
 

T

Tracked

Member
#19
Messages
86
Reactions
23
Points
7
Location
United States
Vehicle
Explorer ST
#19
THNX SVT said:
Thanks all for the input. I drilled two weep holes in the mufflers and drained just over 15 fluid ounces from the exhaust. Pics attached, and I promise it’s not pee. View attachment 22695
Click to expand...
Was there a noticeable change in volume after draining the water?

I have thermal and DPs and swear the turbo whistle at idle isn't at loud as what I've heard in videos online from others with the same setup... this has me wondering if I have water in my rear mufflers.
 

D

Dale5403

1000 Post Club
#20
Messages
1,998
Reactions
2,043
Points
262
Location
Mondovi, WI, USA
#20
THNX SVT said:
Thanks all for the input. I drilled two weep holes in the mufflers and drained just over 15 fluid ounces from the exhaust. Pics attached, and I promise it’s not pee. View attachment 22695
Click to expand...
Can you post a picture of where you drilled the holes? It might help other members if you would, thanks.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Explorer ST Posts



Top