redlight30

So I go into my garage last night and see a puddle under the rear of my car. Looks like H20 so I look under and the leak appears to be coming from the right muffler along the seam line. No dents so doesn't appear something hit it unless of course when my wife took it the other day she ran over a curb or something! I rush over to the dealer and head tech says looks like the muffler seam looks to be pulling apart?? He says condensation may have eroded metal and caused seam to go. 18k miles 15 months old I cannot imagine this happening. anyways got a NX F-sport as a loaner - already miss the LS! I guess this may take some time as he said they have to get Lexus involved. I will just pack the miles on the NX! Anyone have this happen on their LS?

Rhambler

Water/condensation and water vapor are a huge part of the exhaust gases in cars. H2O is a natural byproduct of combustion and the catalyst. That's why you see water leaking out of the exhaust after startup sometimes. It's also the reason you see steam.

Unfortunately in your case, there does indeed seem to be a leak in the exhaust system. These exhaust parts are pretty robust in regards to corrosion resistance. They know that water is a huge part of the exhaust system. I would think that in your case, external factors may have contributed to the system's demise, notably elements that may have greatly accelerated corrosion, like possibly salt or some other elements that may have come in contact, repeatedly, and due to the natural condensation during early startups (before the exhaust system warms up) corroded your car.

You drive over salted streets or live near the ocean? If so, I would suggest periodically washing the underbody of your car with clean water or moving to areas that do not salt roads.

Kennyr44

Speaking about LS exhausts reminds me of something that I consider mind blowing. My 91 with 200k complete muffler system was perfect even visually all those years.

redlight30

Living in the Northeast there is salt etc. on the roads but I am pretty **** about going to the touchless wash after each storm to try and get the car clean including underside but my 2010 I had 5 years and never experienced this with much worse winters. Can't wait to see what they say.

Nospinzone

Since as you said the muffler was not damaged externally, it is almost certainly a manufacturing defect.

roadfrog

FWIW, last year, I dropped my mufflers to inspect them, due to rattling/buzzing noises. Imagine my surprise, when about a gallon of water (no exaggeration), came pouring out of the mufflers. They were completely corroded from the inside out. Good news is I got them both replaced for about 300 bucks by a local shop. They used a muffler that closely matched the LS specs. keep in mind that my car is a 2008 and had about 80k miles at the time.

redlight30

Picked the car up today - they replaced both mufflers as the seams were letting go on both. Nice to have her back as the NX was lets say average at best as the highway noise was ridiculous. The cost under warranty was $1,300. they told me I was letting the car sit too much so drive it more.

Nospinzone

You know IMO that's not bad advice.