tips in finding an exhaust leak
#1
tips in finding an exhaust leak
What is the best way to determine where an exhuast leak if coming from? I went NS on my turbos this winter and everything is boosting well and running great except I have a little tick, tick, tick coming from the hotside of the engine bay. I know i heard this initially when I first fired the car up so I figure it may be 1 stud not fully tightened to spec as the sound definitely is sourced from the turbo area. It can also be heard on my dyno video, but disappears as I hit Higher RPMS.
I am going to tear into the hotside one more time this week to see if I can determine where this is coming from and was curious if you guys have any tips for determining where an exhaust leak origniates from before I tear into it one more time. Will there be visible signs as I take things off where the leak is coming from?
I am going to tear into the hotside one more time this week to see if I can determine where this is coming from and was curious if you guys have any tips for determining where an exhaust leak origniates from before I tear into it one more time. Will there be visible signs as I take things off where the leak is coming from?
#2
All out Track Freak!
iTrader: (263)
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Charlottesville VA 22901
Posts: 10,672
Received 412 Likes
on
250 Posts
What is the best way to determine where an exhuast leak if coming from? I went NS on my turbos this winter and everything is boosting well and running great except I have a little tick, tick, tick coming from the hotside of the engine bay. I know i heard this initially when I first fired the car up so I figure it may be 1 stud not fully tightened to spec as the sound definitely is sourced from the turbo area. It can also be heard on my dyno video, but disappears as I hit Higher RPMS.
I am going to tear into the hotside one more time this week to see if I can determine where this is coming from and was curious if you guys have any tips for determining where an exhaust leak origniates from before I tear into it one more time. Will there be visible signs as I take things off where the leak is coming from?
I am going to tear into the hotside one more time this week to see if I can determine where this is coming from and was curious if you guys have any tips for determining where an exhaust leak origniates from before I tear into it one more time. Will there be visible signs as I take things off where the leak is coming from?
It's sounds a little weird but some folks advise on using a long feather to find the leak hehe but you can use a piece of paper etc....just don't catch anything on fire
#3
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Yep, it's just tricky to find a leak.
My low-tech method is to put the car on jackstands when it's bone cold, start the car, and use my hand to feel around the flanges. You can easily feel an exhaust leak, even a small one. Of course, you have to work pretty quickly before things heat up too much.
Also, many thin-wall stainless downpipes will have a "tink" sound to them that sounds like a slight exhaust leak. No way around that, ceramic coating doesn't help that either. I believe mild steel downpipes are better in that regard.
Dale
My low-tech method is to put the car on jackstands when it's bone cold, start the car, and use my hand to feel around the flanges. You can easily feel an exhaust leak, even a small one. Of course, you have to work pretty quickly before things heat up too much.
Also, many thin-wall stainless downpipes will have a "tink" sound to them that sounds like a slight exhaust leak. No way around that, ceramic coating doesn't help that either. I believe mild steel downpipes are better in that regard.
Dale
#4
I like the feather Idea. Before I tear everything apart I think I will put the car up on stands and see what I get. It may very well be the downpipe, but i need to get in there for sure.
Funny thing is I used new gaskets pretty much everywhere...
Funny thing is I used new gaskets pretty much everywhere...
#6
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
I recall being told to spray soapy water to find the leaks - that's a bad idea on a car with an exhaust this hot. Especially when you're looking up at the exhaust from underneath.
Take care that aftermarket exhaust components usually have poor flange flatness. THe stock 2-bolt design is just awful for making a gasket seal which makes it that much worse.
Also, if you re-use your stock hardware with the nut fused to the stud, it's ok buy only if the nut bottoms out before the threaded end of the stud. I would add a washer under the nut if you re-use your stock hardware for that reason.
#7
Senior Member
iTrader: (14)
soapy water works great.... with the car off
the trick is to pressurize the exhaust system from the muffler using a shop vacuum /leaf blower/etc. this will force air upstream. using a soapy water solution, spray all the mating surfaces. the bubbles will appear, similar to finding a leak in a tire
Trending Topics
#10
Turd Ferguson
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Sherman Oaks, California
Posts: 2,047
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
don't some shops shoot smoke up the exhaust system to check for leaks?
Seafoam freaks me out. I wouldn't ever use it. Just my phobia.
EDIT: They do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISWtCKHl0YE
Seafoam freaks me out. I wouldn't ever use it. Just my phobia.
EDIT: They do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISWtCKHl0YE
#11
Feather/paper trick worked pretty well... looks like (with out being underneathe the car, it is the turbo to manifold gasket. I used Pineapple Racing Graphite Gaskets, but torqued them to stock spec... I think I remember reading that they need a lil more torque due to being graphite.
I am a pro at taking these turbos on and off now
I am a pro at taking these turbos on and off now
#12
this is rather old..but im replacing the manifold to turbo and turbo to manifold gaskets..and its a pain in the ***. i've ogtten it down to the turbos, heat shield, and trying to get the exhaust pipe off the turbos, busted a bolt, and one stud is too long so the pipe wont come off without hitting the steering rod...any references onto how to remove and install stock turbos for the sakes of changing out gaskets? pm me please
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post