I started my truck the other day for a minute to move it, then got under it to change fuel filter. Every single joint of my exhaust was leaking water out, from the headers back!
The entire front of the muffler seam was leaking.

My truck only has 34,000 miles on it and its an AZ truck, no salt, etc. ever.

I was also dissapointed last week when I found a hole at the rear of the muffler that was perfectly round, like it had been drilled.

I used to drive cars that were 20 years old and only had one muffler get craggy holes in it, but never had any of my pipes leak.

I'm not at all happy with the outside rust (exhaust, driveshaft, brake parts and rear axle). I'm repainting some of it again.

Anyone else have this problem? Should I got to a muffler shop and have them patch all the seams, or buy an aftermarket? ($ a bit tight right now).

https://www.f150online.com/galleries...ew.cfm?num=2419

 

That hole in the muffler was drilled or punched. It is most likely the weep hole to allow moisture to escape.

All engines have water vapor as part of their exhaust. As the exhaust temp cools the water precipitates out of the air and becomes water droplets. This water must get out of the exhaust system or it will rust the exhaust system.

The biggest place water collects is the muffler. Without the weep hole your muffler would have a standing puddle of water and wear out even faster.

Also - painting over any existing rust will actually speed up the rusting process and make it worse. Leave the exhaust alone until you have a serious leak / hole and then replace it.

 

Thanks Robadele,
I was going to paint everything except the exhaust.