Kooks header setup (leaks)
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
Kooks header setup (leaks)
So I think I have a leak from my collector->x-pipe connection on the driver's side header. I noticed on the passenger side that I was able to tighten the bolts a lot farther. On the driver's side, the bolts started to get really tight way before they bottomed out and I didn't want to damage the header, so I stopped. Maybe its not lined up? Or do I need to tighten it further so it slips (forces itself) in?
Should I loosen the exhaust at the heads and the x-pipe->catback and then try to tighten the donuts? I am just not sure how far the donut needs to go inside the header...it is not really like the stock manifold at all, where the donut actually goes inside the manifold. Its kind of like the donut only partially goes inside. Tough to explain sorry. I am just not sure how much to actually tighten the bolts.
Should I loosen the exhaust at the heads and the x-pipe->catback and then try to tighten the donuts? I am just not sure how far the donut needs to go inside the header...it is not really like the stock manifold at all, where the donut actually goes inside the manifold. Its kind of like the donut only partially goes inside. Tough to explain sorry. I am just not sure how much to actually tighten the bolts.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
So I think I have a leak from my collector->x-pipe connection on the driver's side header. I noticed on the passenger side that I was able to tighten the bolts a lot farther. On the driver's side, the bolts started to get really tight way before they bottomed out and I didn't want to damage the header, so I stopped. Maybe its not lined up? Or do I need to tighten it further so it slips (forces itself) in?
Should I loosen the exhaust at the heads and the x-pipe->catback and then try to tighten the donuts? I am just not sure how far the donut needs to go inside the header...it is not really like the stock manifold at all, where the donut actually goes inside the manifold. Its kind of like the donut only partially goes inside. Tough to explain sorry. I am just not sure how much to actually tighten the bolts.
Should I loosen the exhaust at the heads and the x-pipe->catback and then try to tighten the donuts? I am just not sure how far the donut needs to go inside the header...it is not really like the stock manifold at all, where the donut actually goes inside the manifold. Its kind of like the donut only partially goes inside. Tough to explain sorry. I am just not sure how much to actually tighten the bolts.
Did they line up properly before or is this the initial install? Are the bolts really rusty? Are you doing this on a lift or on jackstands? If you're having trouble holding the pipes in place while you align them put a jack under there to help you out...
Why do you think you have a leak? Make sure the "donut" on the drivers side isn't backwards. Do you have any codes in the DIC?
If you think it's not aligned right unbolt it, put it back on (take your time) and torque to spec. Here are the torque values for the stock C5 (not sure if the spec is different for the kooks setup): http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/C5_Torque_Values.pdf
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
I would definitely not "FORCE it in". You risk screwing up the threads on the bolts...
Did they line up properly before or is this the initial install? Are the bolts really rusty? Are you doing this on a lift or on jackstands? If you're having trouble holding the pipes in place while you align them put a jack under there to help you out...
Why do you think you have a leak? Make sure the "donut" on the drivers side isn't backwards. Do you have any codes in the DIC?
If you think it's not aligned right unbolt it, put it back on (take your time) and torque to spec. Here are the torque values for the stock C5 (not sure if the spec is different for the kooks setup): http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/C5_Torque_Values.pdf
Did they line up properly before or is this the initial install? Are the bolts really rusty? Are you doing this on a lift or on jackstands? If you're having trouble holding the pipes in place while you align them put a jack under there to help you out...
Why do you think you have a leak? Make sure the "donut" on the drivers side isn't backwards. Do you have any codes in the DIC?
If you think it's not aligned right unbolt it, put it back on (take your time) and torque to spec. Here are the torque values for the stock C5 (not sure if the spec is different for the kooks setup): http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/C5_Torque_Values.pdf
It is definitely aligned....the two pieces slapped right together, I just noticed the driver's side seemed awfully tight on the bolts for how shallow they were. Passenger side seemed to tighten much better.
I think it is leaking because the driver's side valve tick is much louder than the passenger side and I am getting whifs of smell in the cabin. Also, when I started this car initially I was only running on 3 cylinders, so I was getting a lot of smoke and a ton of smoke was coming out of the engine bay on that side only.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Well there is no separate donut, Kooks has the donut part built into the header...then the x-pipe is kind of flared out so it fits inside. Then both are pulled together with a two bolted flange.
It is definitely aligned....the two pieces slapped right together, I just noticed the driver's side seemed awfully tight on the bolts for how shallow they were. Passenger side seemed to tighten much better.
I think it is leaking because the driver's side valve tick is much louder than the passenger side and I am getting whifs of smell in the cabin. Also, when I started this car initially I was only running on 3 cylinders, so I was getting a lot of smoke and a ton of smoke was coming out of the engine bay on that side only.
It is definitely aligned....the two pieces slapped right together, I just noticed the driver's side seemed awfully tight on the bolts for how shallow they were. Passenger side seemed to tighten much better.
I think it is leaking because the driver's side valve tick is much louder than the passenger side and I am getting whifs of smell in the cabin. Also, when I started this car initially I was only running on 3 cylinders, so I was getting a lot of smoke and a ton of smoke was coming out of the engine bay on that side only.
If it's aligned and the threads look okay then you should be good to tighten her up... I guess I misunderstood your first post, I was thinking you couldn't get the nut all the way down the threads on the bolt... Sounds like you have and it just doesn't feel as tight? It'll help the seal if you let your exhaust heat up before you tighten the bolts all the way... Also, did you use new gaskets?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,898
Likes: 9
From: Morrisville PA
Hmmm... I'm assuming you've checked the threads on the passenger side flange bolts to make sure they don't look bunged up...
If it's aligned and the threads look okay then you should be good to tighten her up... I guess I misunderstood your first post, I was thinking you couldn't get the nut all the way down the threads on the bolt... Sounds like you have and it just doesn't feel as tight? It'll help the seal if you let your exhaust heat up before you tighten the bolts all the way... Also, did you use new gaskets?
If it's aligned and the threads look okay then you should be good to tighten her up... I guess I misunderstood your first post, I was thinking you couldn't get the nut all the way down the threads on the bolt... Sounds like you have and it just doesn't feel as tight? It'll help the seal if you let your exhaust heat up before you tighten the bolts all the way... Also, did you use new gaskets?
I used new GM gaskets at the header flange yes...that is 100% leak free. I torqued them down with a torque wrench too just to be sure. Not sure if I am being clear...I am talking about the part that bolts from the header merge to the x-pipe.
