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What does a header leak sound like??

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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 10:52 PM
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Default What does a header leak sound like??

I am hearing a sort of soft put-putting sound that gets faster with engine rpms.. I hear it more upon acceleration in 1st and 2nd gear..

I listened in the engine compartment while it was idling but I could not hear anything odd...
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:08 PM
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Exhaust leaks typically sound like a tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, or a tic, tic, tic, tic, etc. It will vary with rpm. It is also not necessarily a header leak. It could be the collectors by the h-pipe or the gaskets to the cat back on the stock exhaust.
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Cajundude
Exhaust leaks typically sound like a tap, tap, tap, tap, tap, or a tic, tic, tic, tic, etc. It will vary with rpm. It is also not necessarily a header leak. It could be the collectors by the h-pipe or the gaskets to the cat back on the stock exhaust.
Actually.. It is more like a tap tap...

Also I have the TPIS headers with the slip fit into the intermediate pipe.. I have never heard anything before...

The headers were recently removed to do a clutch job.. I wonder if something is loose...
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:15 PM
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Something could of worked its way loose. When messing with exhaust you should always go back and re-tighten the nuts/bolts after a few heat cycles.
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Cajundude
Something could of worked its way loose. When messing with exhaust you should always go back and re-tighten the nuts/bolts after a few heat cycles.
Great idea... I'll check the header bolts.. What is the typical torque setting for them?
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:30 PM
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18 ft/lbs for the headers.
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:44 PM
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take a look at the AIR fittings
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 11:57 PM
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Ah you young pups, any old school guy from the muscle car era can tell you how to find a header leak in the flange area. (Where the header meets the heads)

Wait for it to get dark then start the car and open the hood. If your header flanges are leaking anywhere you will be able to see the flash of the burning gasses. Leaks further down the system will show up as streaks of black soot over time.
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