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Exhaust Leak???

2080 Views 5 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  Sandpiper96
So before I start replacing header gaskets, I wanted to post this video to see is anyone has an opinion on what the sound is; you can kind of hear the squeak while it's idling. I thought it was a pulley at first, but now I think it's more of an exhaust issue. Any thoughts?


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So before I start replacing header gaskets, I wanted to post this video to see is anyone has an opinion on what the sound is; you can kind of hear the squeak while it's idling. I thought it was a pulley at first, but now I think it's more of an exhaust issue. Any thoughts?


I couldn't really hear it. Maybe others can.
Yeah, same here, it sounds like typically header+exhaust resonance from what I can hear.

If there is more to it, just jack it up and check the whole exhaust system, to make sure it's not rubbing on the frame.

As far as leaks, you can just move your hand close by the headers and you should feel hot air coming out.
Yeah, same here, it sounds like typically header+exhaust resonance from what I can hear.

If there is more to it, just jack it up and check the whole exhaust system, to make sure it's not rubbing on the frame.

As far as leaks, you can just move your hand close by the headers and you should feel hot air coming out.
Or water mist from spray bottle....it looks different when hitting the metal where a leak is.
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Try a cold start and let it idle for 5-15 minutes and you should see some condensation water drips on the ground right where it is leaking. It could be running down another pipe but it will be easy to find if you trace it back.

We just traced this on a friends car with a very mild tick.


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Try a cold start and let it idle for 5-15 minutes and you should see some condensation water drips on the ground right where it is leaking. It could be running down another pipe but it will be easy to find if you trace it back.

We just traced this on a friends car with a very mild tick.


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Yea, i have some of those down stream after the cats, but now up by the headers, but I'm gonna check closer.

Yeah, same here, it sounds like typically header+exhaust resonance from what I can hear.

If there is more to it, just jack it up and check the whole exhaust system, to make sure it's not rubbing on the frame.

As far as leaks, you can just move your hand close by the headers and you should feel hot air coming out.
Thanks for the info, yea, I got rid of the brace near the back of the drivetrain tunnel, bought new urethane hangers for the back; have a good inch clearance from the frame.

Something interesting was found when I recently had the transmission rebuilt. These are Stainless Works headers and where the headers come close to the transmission bell housing, I had some pinholes that were blasting the housing. I thought this is where the sound was coming from, but they welded it shut; there was nothing on the passenger's side. I assume it just got really hot and the metal fatigued. Thoughts?

I'm posting another video, perhaps something stands out...

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