How to find an exhaust leak?
02-10-2009, 10:34 PM
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How to find an exhaust leak? I just recently installed some headers and I hear some sort of wind or fast exhaust which feels like its almost directly under my feet. Could that be an exhaust leak? I dont feel lack of power. I put in some LTs with no cats and an ORY.
02-10-2009, 11:19 PM
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What kind of exhaust clamps do you have on it?
If you have those stupid U's with the two nuts they give you with the headers I can almost guarantee they're leaking.
If you have those stupid U's with the two nuts they give you with the headers I can almost guarantee they're leaking.
02-10-2009, 11:26 PM
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Yeah - those clamps blow..
Also- If you are looking for a leak you can close off the tailpipes and that will cause backpressure and it will cause the exhaust to flow out of the leak. so like hold a board over the pipe or something and have someone listen and shine a flashlight on where you think its leaking from..
I also dont use gaskets with my headers, i just put Copper RTV sealent on the header flanges and then bolt them up- dont have them leak...
Also- If you are looking for a leak you can close off the tailpipes and that will cause backpressure and it will cause the exhaust to flow out of the leak. so like hold a board over the pipe or something and have someone listen and shine a flashlight on where you think its leaking from..
I also dont use gaskets with my headers, i just put Copper RTV sealent on the header flanges and then bolt them up- dont have them leak...
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02-10-2009, 11:43 PM
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I have the U clamps but I tightened them real good. I'll try that covering the exhaust thing. Would I feel a loss in power? I definitely felt an increase in power.
02-10-2009, 11:47 PM
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probably not, but depending on how close it is to the o2 sensor you could notice a decrease in fuel mileage..
with an exhaust leak before or close after the o2 sensor it allows oxygen to be sucked through the leak into the exhaust stream between pulses twards the o2 sensor skewing the readings to the computer thinking that it is actually lean rather than stoichiometric.
with an exhaust leak before or close after the o2 sensor it allows oxygen to be sucked through the leak into the exhaust stream between pulses twards the o2 sensor skewing the readings to the computer thinking that it is actually lean rather than stoichiometric.
02-11-2009, 12:10 AM
#10
what me and my dad did on his was put rags in the exhaust and stick a air compressor hose in there and walked around underneath the car until we felt the air coming out. but we have a lift though.
02-11-2009, 12:22 AM
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Would be great if I had access to a lift...I did mix up the O2 sensors though. I put the cat O2s in the headers. The header O2s are just sitting out there. I just got my O2 extensions. Would that even make a difference?
02-11-2009, 09:21 AM
#14
Got mine from sdpc when I got my kooks. http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...tart&catid=873
Call them and ask them for 3'' stainless exhaust band clamps. The reason I and many others dont like them is they crush the exhaust pipe, and if you tare your car apart as much as I do getting the exhaust apart after its been crushed is a bitch. The band type wrap around the whole pipe and join the two.
Call them and ask them for 3'' stainless exhaust band clamps. The reason I and many others dont like them is they crush the exhaust pipe, and if you tare your car apart as much as I do getting the exhaust apart after its been crushed is a bitch. The band type wrap around the whole pipe and join the two.
02-11-2009, 10:30 AM
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U-Clamps are basically pinching the two pipes together and WILL leave a gap for exhaust gas to escape. Even if you tighten them super tight, you are still just pinching the pipe and will (as stated above) be a pain to take apart in the future.
Summit, WS6 Store, Speed Inc., and I believe NAPA stores sell them.
Summit, WS6 Store, Speed Inc., and I believe NAPA stores sell them.
02-11-2009, 12:48 PM
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You might also see some black moisture runs on the pipes. Band clamps are much better as they basically mold themselves to the pipe contour for increased sealing area.
02-11-2009, 12:54 PM
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U-Clamps are basically pinching the two pipes together and WILL leave a gap for exhaust gas to escape. Even if you tighten them super tight, you are still just pinching the pipe and will (as stated above) be a pain to take apart in the future.
Summit, WS6 Store, Speed Inc., and I believe NAPA stores sell them.
Summit, WS6 Store, Speed Inc., and I believe NAPA stores sell them.
