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Kooks exhaust leak?

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Old Sep 17, 2006 | 11:43 PM
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Default Kooks exhaust leak?

I have a sound that sounds like an exhaust leak or bad collector gasket from my Kooks headers. I know there is no gasket needed, but sure seems like it. I have checked gaskets and torque off header flange gaskets and they are fine. I have tightened the collector at the Cats very tight, but always has leaky sound. Anyone else experienced this and is it normal? Any suggestions of remedy?
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 06:56 AM
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I have had no leak issues with mine

But i did notice that the valve train is louder with the headders and sounds similar to an exhaust leak
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 07:57 AM
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I have beat the ever loving crap out of mine and they never leak. Like the other poster suggested, the valve train becomes noticibly louder with long tubes. Perhaps that is the sound you hear.
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 09:18 AM
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 09:56 AM
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Did you ever have headers before? It may be the normal noise you will now hear forever. Everything is louder.
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Old Sep 19, 2006 | 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by C5nNC
I have a sound that sounds like an exhaust leak or bad collector gasket from my Kooks headers. I know there is no gasket needed, but sure seems like it. I have checked gaskets and torque off header flange gaskets and they are fine. I have tightened the collector at the Cats very tight, but always has leaky sound. Anyone else experienced this and is it normal? Any suggestions of remedy?
does it sound like a 'whistle' or a 'buzzer' (kinda like a faint door buzzer) ?

in my experience, exhaust leaks sound like a whistle or buzz, depending upon where it's leaking.

even though you tightend the header flanges did you, by any chance, check the headers themselves. you may want to check and retorque (carefule not to overtorque - them heads are alum.) the header to heads connections.

you may also want to check the rest of the exhaust system, i.e. cat-back, etc.

headers do allow a bit more noise but they shouldn't whistle.

a ticking noise is normal

Last edited by Zig; Sep 19, 2006 at 11:41 AM. Reason: added: a ticking noise is normal
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Old Sep 19, 2006 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by burtonbl103
I have had no leak issues with mine

But i did notice that the valve train is louder with the headders and sounds similar to an exhaust leak
mine does also
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Old Sep 19, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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I had headers on C5 and didn't hear this. This sounds more like older cars I use to have headers on when the collector gasket between the header and exhaust pipe would burn out. I guess it may be normal, but just sounds like that. I will check at next event and see if can hear others. Thanks for suggestions
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 01:07 AM
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Any an exhaust leak especially from the collector you'd be able smell the exhaust fumes and it is very strong. You cant miss the smell. If you cant smell it, then its probably not a leak.
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Old Oct 19, 2006 | 11:02 PM
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Just installed my kooks 1-3/4 headers on my 07 A6 and noticed the same sound. Thought that there was an exhaust leak from somewhere on the header. But once under the car I could hear each pulse of the exhaust in the collectors, and found no leaks. The factory exhaust manifolds are very heavy and thick, thus retaing most of the exhaust sound. The headers are thinner and lighter, and allow you to hear more pulse sound.
On a side note, did anybody that installed the kooks headers have trouble getting the tranny lines away from the headers? Kooks supplied a new bracket for the lines but did nothing. I bent them slightly and wrapped them in header wrap, to eliminate some heat transfer, any other suggestions?
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 09:03 AM
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Originally Posted by SilverLSGUN
Just installed my kooks 1-3/4 headers on my 07 A6.
On a side note, did anybody that installed the kooks headers have trouble getting the tranny lines away from the headers? Kooks supplied a new bracket for the lines but did nothing. I bent them slightly and wrapped them in header wrap, to eliminate some heat transfer, any other suggestions?
thanks, you answered a question i had. i just installed kooks on my mn6 and for the life-of-me, i couldn't find where that darn 'bracket' went. guess the bracket is for automatics.

i just wanna remind everyone to retorque all clamps, bolts, etc. after a couple of 50+ mile drives.
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by hoffie
mine does also
All I hear on your car are the Bullets
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by Zig
thanks, you answered a question i had. i just installed kooks on my mn6 and for the life-of-me, i couldn't find where that darn 'bracket' went. guess the bracket is for automatics.

i just wanna remind everyone to retorque all clamps, bolts, etc. after a couple of 50+ mile drives.
That bracket is for theMN6

You need it to keep the lies away from the headders
They forgot mine in my box too
i had to call them and have them ship it !
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Old Oct 20, 2006 | 05:12 PM
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Everything needs to be re-tightened after a heat cycle. My nuts/bolts came loose so you need to get down there and re-torque them. This might solve the problem. Good luck.
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