• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

a weird noise after installing a mac o/r h pipe

  • Thread starter Thread starter rai_281
  • Start date Start date Feb 27, 2006
R

rai_281

New Member
Apr 11, 2005
7
0
0
Feb 27, 2006
#1
  • Feb 27, 2006
  • #1
i just installed a o/r h pipe on my 2003 gt and i hear a wierd noise coming from the bottom of the car like maybe a air leak or something. its like a hissing noise is that normal. me and my friend did the install because none of the muffler shops would install it cuz its an o/r h pipe we tightened the bolts up pretty tight. if anyone can help please do so.
 

merc123

Active Member
Jan 27, 2003
420
2
39
North GA
Feb 28, 2006
#2
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #2
if it's mac, it could be the interior coating "burning" off. mine hissed for a while at first almost like a sizzling sound.
 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding
Apr 6, 2003
1,418
0
0
Houston
Feb 28, 2006
#3
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #3
Sadly it is normal. Its an exhaust leak. Get a new gasket for the passenger side between the manifold and h-pipe and get underneath and retighten everything.
 

supastang03

Member
Mar 17, 2004
214
0
16
Miami/Gainesville UF
Feb 28, 2006
#4
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #4
learn to live with it. either that or tighten all the bolt and get new gaskets every month or so.

still worth the amazing sound.
 
M

mac1009

Founding Member
Feb 17, 2001
187
0
0
Atlanta, GA
Feb 28, 2006
#5
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #5
Did you swap the studs on the header? That's the only way I've heard to get rid of the leak w/ the Mac.
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Feb 28, 2006
#6
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #6
yea i had the same leak, i had an exhaust shop weld on a new coupling and flange,

bottom line: MAC SUCKS
 

timeless2

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici
Admin Dude
Nov 29, 1999
1,366
202
154
the Shadow Gallery
Feb 28, 2006
#7
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #7
He said the noise is from the bottom of the car, so why are you guys suggesting it is the header flange?
 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding
Apr 6, 2003
1,418
0
0
Houston
Feb 28, 2006
#8
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #8
4u2nv said:
He said the noise is from the bottom of the car, so why are you guys suggesting it is the header flange?
Click to expand...
Cuz even on mine it still seems that the sound is coming from under the car even though the leak is at the header flange
 
B

bcun10t

New Member
Feb 25, 2006
33
0
0
Feb 28, 2006
#9
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #9
yeah what he said the MAC is garbage. I replaced the MAC junk When I put on long tube headers :OT: I still never did get my dip stick to go back in after word if anybody knows a trick for that one
 

timeless2

Vi Veri Veni Versum Vicus Vici
Admin Dude
Nov 29, 1999
1,366
202
154
the Shadow Gallery
Feb 28, 2006
#10
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #10
HoustonGT said:
Cuz even on mine it still seems that the sound is coming from under the car even though the leak is at the header flange
Click to expand...
Wild. I have zero noise, other than the free-flow sound as a result of having no catalytic converters.
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Feb 28, 2006
#11
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #11
Mac's O/R H isn't garbage. People who overtighten, undertighten are what cause people to despise them.

This pipe has a metallic leaky type sound to it. That's just what it sounds like.

If you're worried abouta leak, get your connection where you bolt the actual pipe together welded, re-check the tightness of the header flange bolts every month, and don't use that passenger side header gasket mac supplies.
 
R

rai_281

New Member
Apr 11, 2005
7
0
0
Feb 28, 2006
#12
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #12
so which gasket do i use
 

HoustonGT

Gilded Gelding
Apr 6, 2003
1,418
0
0
Houston
Feb 28, 2006
#13
  • Feb 28, 2006
  • #13
rai_281 said:
so which gasket do i use
Click to expand...
Go pick one up at the Ford dealership and don't use the crappy Mac one
 

sgarlic

Founding Member
Apr 21, 2001
3,085
1
56
Mar 1, 2006
#14
  • Mar 1, 2006
  • #14


If your old one looks worn out (did my midpipe swap at like 5k, it was brand new still,) Ford carries them for like $9.
 

Mike97gt

it doe snot
Founding Member
Jan 26, 1999
10,633
7
89
the people's republic of massachusetts
Mar 1, 2006
#15
  • Mar 1, 2006
  • #15
sgarlic said:
Mac's O/R H isn't garbage. People who overtighten, undertighten are what cause people to despise them.

This pipe has a metallic leaky type sound to it. That's just what it sounds like.

If you're worried abouta leak, get your connection where you bolt the actual pipe together welded, re-check the tightness of the header flange bolts every month, and don't use that passenger side header gasket mac supplies.
Click to expand...


+1 incorrect install causes a lot of problems like this. just try to loosen the whole pipe and retighten everything a little at a time untill it stops leaking. then if it don't stop you can try all these gaskets and flanges.
 

tonys5.0

New Member
Sep 17, 2004
122
0
0
Jacksonville, FL
Mar 1, 2006
#16
  • Mar 1, 2006
  • #16
I used a new flange gasket I purchased from Ford plus the one Mac supplied me with. Call it overkill but i wanted to make sure I had no leaks.

So far no leaking sounds. The only noise I hear is when the car is fully warmed up and that strange tick coming from the driver's side every now and then. I believe it's either a header leak at the engine or loose plug. No matter the case, I'll figure it out this weekend.
 

deftsound

Please ask me how much my supercharger cost
Apr 6, 2004
945
1
39
Texas City TX
Mar 1, 2006
#17
  • Mar 1, 2006
  • #17
tonys5.0 said:
I used a new flange gasket I purchased from Ford plus the one Mac supplied me with. Call it overkill but i wanted to make sure I had no leaks.

So far no leaking sounds. The only noise I hear is when the car is fully warmed up and that strange tick coming from the driver's side every now and then. I believe it's either a header leak at the engine or loose plug. No matter the case, I'll figure it out this weekend.
Click to expand...

I GET THE SAME SOUND!!! Geez i have no idea what it is either, i just replaced my spark plugsa couple months ago and i still have that tick tick sound comin from my driver side exhaust pipe. I guess it could be a leak but i brought it to an exhaust shop and they said i didnt have one, who knows..Mine acts like its a miss or something, maybe a bad cop???
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Progress Thread Giving an abandoned 88 GT project a new chance at life
  • jaketractor
  • Jan 9, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
27
Views
2K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jul 20, 2025
Noobz347
Took some pics, i do really own a mustang...
  • 2000xp8
  • Jun 20, 2023
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 6 7 8
Replies
148
Views
19K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Oct 1, 2024
Mustang5L5
SN Mustang Magnum T56 swap
  • revhead347
  • May 24, 2024
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Replies
15
Views
6K
1994 - 1995 Specific Tech Jun 28, 2026
GearHeadGuy
C
Progress Thread 2004 Comp Orange GT
  • ctandc
  • Jun 26, 2023
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2 3
Replies
56
Views
5K
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jun 1, 2026
ctandc
C
Engine Rocker Noise after Aluminum heads and 1 piece CM Pushrods
  • 79pace
  • Apr 12, 2022
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
17
Views
4K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Apr 19, 2022
Monkeybutt2000
M
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?