Normal header noise? Can't find an exhaust leak.
06-13-2008, 11:20 AM
#1
Normal header noise? Can't find an exhaust leak. Well I put Hooker lts on my car about two weeks ago. I used Percy's Seal 4 Good header gaskets and use Dynomax band clamps (http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...19b54d2d06ab58)
The noise is RPM dependent, but only makes the sound when the car is under a load, no neutral revs. You can really hear the noise if you bog the car down and when passing a building or something. Under normal driving and WOT you can hear the noise a little bit. Sounds like a, "shust, shust, shust" lol
I don't see any black streaks on the exhaust where it would be leaking. I've tightened the header bolts, emission tube bolts and o2 sensors twice now. The band clamps are torqued down to the max according to the box. Spark plugs are tight. It sounds like the noise comes from the driver's side under the car. I tried giving the car gas and feel around the clamps and blocked off emission tubes for air but I feel nothing. I had to reuse the stock AIR gaskets for the driver side as I was missing a gasket in my order. Yesterday I removed the block off plate and noticed part of the stock gasket left a mark on the AIR tube, while the other part had no residue; it was smooth.
Any help?
The noise is RPM dependent, but only makes the sound when the car is under a load, no neutral revs. You can really hear the noise if you bog the car down and when passing a building or something. Under normal driving and WOT you can hear the noise a little bit. Sounds like a, "shust, shust, shust" lol
I don't see any black streaks on the exhaust where it would be leaking. I've tightened the header bolts, emission tube bolts and o2 sensors twice now. The band clamps are torqued down to the max according to the box. Spark plugs are tight. It sounds like the noise comes from the driver's side under the car. I tried giving the car gas and feel around the clamps and blocked off emission tubes for air but I feel nothing. I had to reuse the stock AIR gaskets for the driver side as I was missing a gasket in my order. Yesterday I removed the block off plate and noticed part of the stock gasket left a mark on the AIR tube, while the other part had no residue; it was smooth.
Any help?
06-13-2008, 11:55 AM
#3
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Are you sure it's not just a normal sound? The thin walls of the headers and the fact that it's going into a collector down at the bottom of the car near the doors tend to make quite a bit of noise. It's to mistake it for a leak when it fact it's perfectly normal. Of course I'm talking about a ticking sound. What your describing sound more like an actual leak. If you drive it like this long enough, you'll find evidence of a leak. Just make sure your header bolts are good and tight to rule them out and then check all your clamps periodically for black streaks.
06-13-2008, 12:21 PM
#4
I just got out from under my car chasing the same thing. I can hear that ticking sound very pronouncedly ... but when I checked, there's no carbon on the pipes by the band clamps (having resealed them with exhaust system caulk several times). Nor could I see any carbon tracking on the heads.
The thing is, my fuel trims are up, leading me to believe that air is getting pulled in and causing my O2's to give false readings.
I'm tired of my car running rich, but I can't seem to find a problem. Frustrating.
The thing is, my fuel trims are up, leading me to believe that air is getting pulled in and causing my O2's to give false readings.
I'm tired of my car running rich, but I can't seem to find a problem. Frustrating.
06-13-2008, 07:02 PM
#6
Are you sure it's not just a normal sound? The thin walls of the headers and the fact that it's going into a collector down at the bottom of the car near the doors tend to make quite a bit of noise. It's to mistake it for a leak when it fact it's perfectly normal. Of course I'm talking about a ticking sound. What your describing sound more like an actual leak. If you drive it like this long enough, you'll find evidence of a leak. Just make sure your header bolts are good and tight to rule them out and then check all your clamps periodically for black streaks.
07-24-2008, 02:43 PM
#7
I'm bumping this old thread in hopes someone might know something, I have this same shust-shust-shust noise when the car is under a load and I can't find any exhaust leaks, checked header bolts and spark plugs and wires. Its driving me bananas - it is especially horrible when in a tunnel or passing a car.
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07-24-2008, 02:48 PM
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I have EDELROCK CERAMIC COATED 1-7/8 equal length LT's and they sound different from others I have heard...alotta SWISHY/SWISHY sounds ......
07-24-2008, 04:35 PM
#11
When I got my car tuned, the tuner and I looked for any signs of leaks again and we found none. 
This was a good month of driving the car daily as well so any type of leak could be found easy. I hope its not the Percy gaskets, I think I paid $30 for them. 
This was a good month of driving the car daily as well so any type of leak could be found easy. I hope its not the Percy gaskets, I think I paid $30 for them. 
08-20-2008, 11:23 AM
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This noise drives me crazy.
I used the Dynomax clamps designed for slip fit joints: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Couldn't imagine these leaking. Bolted them up, and still, same noise. I've all but dismissed it as 'incurable'
I used the Dynomax clamps designed for slip fit joints: http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Couldn't imagine these leaking. Bolted them up, and still, same noise. I've all but dismissed it as 'incurable'
08-20-2008, 12:43 PM
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The thing that really gets me... I've had plenty of time around a C5 Z06 and a C6 coupe, both with similar setups - LT's, ORY, cat-back - and I don't remember hearing this noise!!!
