LuckyKenny Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Is there a way to tell if an exhaust leak is coming from the block or the end of the manifolds? This ticking is driving me crazy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtieThunder Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Look for blacks streaks that are caused by the leak.You should be able to see where its leaking.You also might be able to take a long screw driver and stick it where the manifolds touch at the heads and stick your ear on the other end to pick the sound up better.Well help you determine the where the leak is Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 There's no residue anywhere that i can see It sounds like a pen hitting a desk It's coming from the drivers side someplace What if i sprayed PB blaster on each of them and see if it bubbles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 57 Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 I don't think that PB is a good idea it would probably just smoke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 I didn't think of that I was just looking at where the headers meet the pipes. The manifolds are extremely old, i'm assuming they're original, idk what the original ones look like. The seals on the block to the manifold look fine. I think it's where they end and meet the pipes. Is there three bolts that come out of the headers? And then if they do, do the pipes side along the three bolts that are attached to the headers? I feel can two nuts on each bolt, i don't have a functioning flashlight at the moment so i cant really see what i'm looking at lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtieThunder Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 You dont have headers you have exhaust manifolds.Its been so long since I have seen them.It could be 2 or 3 bolts off the manifold.The exhuast pipe will have a flange that goes over those bolts and there should be a round cork gasket called a donut gasket in between the 2 pieces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADMAC Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 The flanges should have three bolts, and like Paul said should have a gasket in between them (the manifold, flange, and pipes that run underneath the car) Go to the parts store and just ask for doughnuts, they should know what your talking about. Thats a good guess and starting point as far as tracking down the annoying ticking sounds. And if you haven't replaced them already its only gonna cost you a few bucks. Good luck finding the leak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 Thanks man Realistically having the leak in general isn't hurting anything correct? and they look like this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Yep those are the kind of gaskets the stock manifolds use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidTX Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 If you put it on a lift you should be able to tell where it is coming from. If you don't have a lift available take it to a muffler shoop and have them check it for you. Probably won't charge you to inspect it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wallaby Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 That's close. but not the actual part. You want one that is tapered at both ends. Here is a picture that will give you an idea of how it all goes together. Your cast-iron manifold flares out at the exit point, and is surrounded by 3 studs that stick out. (It looks pretty much like the piece on the right in the photo but it's all one piece and part of the manifold casting) The end of the exhaust pipe (like the piece on the left in the photo) also flares, and where the two pieces come together the flares capture the donut gasket between them. I'n not sure why they show two donuts.... You will find that these donuts come in maky different sizes and thicknesses. It would probably help to have an old one to match up. They also come made of different materials...some are solid steel and others look like they are made of pressed asbestos or something. I prefer the softer pressed type...they conform better if your pipes aren't perfectly round or meet at an angle. It can be a fun job (sarcasm) because the bolts that hold everything together get all rusted into place and don't want to come undone...and access is often a problem even with deep sockets. You really want to make sure this is where your problem IS before you start tearing into the project. If you can be quick, you can start the car stone cold and quickly feel around with your hand for leaks before the parts get hot...but it all gets hot quickly, so be careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 19, 2010 Author Share Posted October 19, 2010 Wallaby THANK YOU! One more question, would it sound like a pen hitting a desk if the leak was on the head? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikstudie Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Here's a trick for all you wanna be muffler guys/girls. Cut a piece of 3/4 heater hose about 3 feet long. Place one end of hose up to your ear the other end where you suspect the leak to be,listen close and probe the area you will here the leak when you come across it. If you have never tried this you need to,you will be floored at the results. Kenny the tick noise will most likly be coming from manifold to head gasket a donut gasket will sound more like a rumble rather than a tick. Call me, put the car up to the phone and I'll tell you where it's coming from. I can pin point a exhaust leak from 4000 miles. It's a TUFFY but you can trust the MIDAS touch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 Mike I've never heard of using a hose, I've always heard use a long screw driver or a dowel to listen with. Personal I have an Automotive Stethoscopes to pin point sounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikstudie Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 The hose will put the Stethscope ( i have three different ones) to shame,you have to try this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 How hard is it to change the gasket on the head? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 It sounds Exactly like a pen hitting a desk or flicking a plastic bag filled with aluminum foil. Actually it sounds exactly like flicking aluminum foil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikstudie Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 How hard is it to change the gasket on the head? Not the most enjoyable job in the world, It's not to bad if you have done them before and know the tricks,this may be the time to think about headers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 I was thinking that Here's the best description Moving pictures and sound Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowtieThunder Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 Sounds like a Manifold leaking at head on Driverside Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyKenny Posted October 20, 2010 Author Share Posted October 20, 2010 That's what i was thinking it's so annoying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
502ci Posted October 20, 2010 Share Posted October 20, 2010 I agree...it's annoying... I also agree it's a manifold leak... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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