Exhaust leak question

[its turbo time]

Ive got an exhaust leak somewhere on the passenger side. im not sure exactly where its at but i did notice that it appeared at the same time that my valve covers started leaking oil. i know they are probably unrelated but i thought i would throw that out there anyway.

my question is: is there an easy way to figure out where it is leaking from? it sounds like its somewhere on the header or nearby

 

[Marc87GN]

Ive got an exhaust leak somewhere on the passenger side. im not sure exactly where its at but i did notice that it appeared at the same time that my valve covers started leaking oil. i know they are probably unrelated but i thought i would throw that out there anyway.

my question is: is there an easy way to figure out where it is leaking from? it sounds like its somewhere on the header or nearby

I found my leaks by sucking in a little ATF out of a cup through a vacuum line. Just be careful not to suck in to much like I did or else you will hide your house from your neighbors. :wink:

 

[83ttypecooled]

Hi,
Lots of cracked headers on our cars,that's probably it. Of course, on the passenger side, it could be turbo inlet or downpipe seal. Not too tough a job to change any of those...

 

[SITHV6]

SIMPLE and Works!!!

I have always had handy a medical grade stethescope with a metal brake line at the end of it to probe around the welded joints of not only mine but other turbo cars headers. Really easy to find even he smallest of leaks...till the fan kicks on! lol.

 

[DonnieShort]

I found my leaks by sucking in a little ATF out of a cup through a vacuum line. Just be careful not to suck in to much like I did or else you will hide your house from your neighbors. :wink:

LOL!!! That's great!

 

[Lee_Burough]

I found my leaks by sucking in a little ATF out of a cup through a vacuum line. Just be careful not to suck in to much like I did or else you will hide your house from your neighbors. :wink:

Try GM top engine cleaner via the intake (part #1052626), you'll clean some built up carbon from your combustion chamber at the same time....Reducing potential for knock. Once you've confirmed the leak is in the header, take it off and inspect it.

 

[its turbo time]

well i tried the atf method and apparently the gasket is gone on the head, and a few other places but it was pretty hard to tell. when the headers crack does it usually become an audible leak?
i think i stripped the head of the bolt on the closest to the firewall header bolt. its not completely gone but i just can't get it off and its starting to round off. im thinking about just taking it somewhere and letting them try to get it off before i completely ruin it. any ideas?