Water vapor in exhaust - 1990 Ford Escort

White smoke is an indicator of moisture. All cars will show water vapor at start up as heating up drives moisture out of the exhaust system AND the combustion of fuel produces water vapor. Until things warm up, slight white "smoke" can be seen coming from the exhaust. If there is a lot of smoke, more than a normal car starting up, that could be radiator fluid leaking into the combustion chamber. Is the radiator fluid level going down? If it is, that it could be a gasket leaking.

White smoke is usually steam vapor. You may have a head gasket leak or a cracked head or block that is allowing water to seep into one or more cylinders. If water is in a cylinder it makes it hard for the piston to compress it before the exhaust valves open to expel it into the exhaust system. Water in the exhaust is then heated to steam vapor. Check to see if you have any water in the engine oil.
Water in the oil is often associated with the above situation.

depends how much , when and for how long
All cars produce water from the exhaust on start up on cold mornings as it is water vapor and should be gone when the engine reaches operating temperature

This is normal for internal combustion engine. For every gallon of fuel burned it can produce a pint of water.

Could be you got some water in your exhaust system through a tiny hole or whatever and now is being vaporized by the exhaust temperature then condensing near the tailpipe.
Check your coolant level now and in several days after driving.
I assume it's running OK since you didn't mention.

This is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a quantitative thing. Excessive water vapor is bad. Normal condensation is unavoidable.

If the exhaust is sweet smelling and the vapor forms clouds then there is a problem. If both puddles are about the size of coffee cup saucers it should be normal.

it has to be either leaking somewhere, or it is going through the engine-check passenger floor for heater core leak, or a hose/clamp leak near or over the exhaust. Is the system holding pressure when hot? {squeeze the upper radiator hose when hot, you should feel it as a solid hose, that is not collapsed}. If you have pressure, it is some sort of external leak if you do not see smoke coming out the exhaust.

Water coming from a exhaust is normal. The newer the car, the more emission control it has at protecting the environment and the more water you will see.

Remember that the combustion of hydrocarbon fuel produces both carbon dioxide AND water vapor as a normal part of the process. All gasoline engines produce water vapor and all water vapor condenses if the exhaust pipe is cool.

Most of the time water dripping is normal. The catalytic converter "converts" exhaust gases into water vapor.
The exhaust system also collects moisture when the engine is off.
It depends on how much water and when.
Are you adding coolant to the radiator ?

If you're sure it's "smoke", then it's probably burning oil. But most likley it's water vapor. When an engine is first started and the air is cold, the water vapor in the exhaust will create visible steam. Automotible exhaust primarily consists of carbon dioxide and water vapor. If the engine and exhaust system are cold, the exhaust will be cooler when it comes out and it can create a cloud of water vapor.
However, if it's not water vapor, as I mentioned above, it could be oil smoke. If that's the case you need an engine rebuild since you probably have bad rings.