tfs95z28

First time the car has seen measureable rain (more than just drizzle) and I get to work and i hear hissing from the exhaust and see some steam. So I look under the car and the connection from the headers to the cat is steaming pretty good. Is that a good sign that I have an exhaust leak there and need to tighten the bolts up? I've never seen/heard it do this before. Not sure if it is even anything to worry about.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

sounds like an exhaust leak, put your hand by it and see if you can feel the exhaust coming out there.

tfs95z28

Well there are no gaskets or anything there... so would it just be caused by the nuts backing out a little bit? I mean, how else could an exhaust leak start there? I doubt the heat would be enough to warp either side of the flange... its pretty thick metal.

keliente

iTrader: (22)

Lots of headers can leak where they meet the y-pipe, I had an awful time with mine. Besides seeing it, it can make a tick tick tick noise (that's what finally drove me insane).

You said it is flanged...if there is no gasket there, that may be the problem (unless it's a ball flange?). Mine were slip fit, problem was I could never get the clamps tight enough, so I ended up just welding them all together.

Try tightening the bolts, using a gasket and see if that helps.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

yeah im getting really tired of my Y pipe ticking on the drivers side header/ Y pipe meets, im gonna get a X pipe put on and prolly have them tack the X pipe on and then band clamp it so i can take the X pipe off once i do my converter.

tfs95z28

No, no no... the connection i am talking about is where the Y-pipe meets the catalytic converter... THAT connection has no gasket that I am aware of. The nuts on the studs that connect the flange of the y-pipe to the cat have backed out before, that is what Im thinking may have happened, not sure why it keeps happening tho...

I know what you guys mean with that slip fit... that has given me fits! I have already dealt with header/y-pipe connection problems. Those were fixed awhile ago.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

well with the cat get some RTV sealant and put it inbetween the two connections and that should seal any leak up.

tfs95z28

interesting idea... ill see if it is even leaking first, if it is, i should be able to feel air coming out of there somewhere. Otherwise, it must have been just really wet... i dunno.

tfs95z28

no air coming out and everything was tight as hell... not sure why it was steaming.

Z28LS1camaroguy

iTrader: (3)

probably just cold water on hot pipes, steam will occur if that happens.

blind527

iTrader: (8)

I have a header leak due to 2 bolts not being in because of 2 crossthreaded bolt holes on the passenger side. I don't know if I can heli-coil it w/o pulling the head, or if tapping it will do the trick.