Does this sound like a header leak??

[SilverBullet00]

So the past couple days my car has been idleing like crap, especially when the air conditioner is on (it nearly dies!!) Then two nights ago I realize when I gradually accelerate around 2,000 rpm the car jerks a little bit untill you reach about 2,500 rpm. Today on my way home from school the jerking was significantly worse, and when I pulled into Mcdonalds it was idleing really bad (AC off), there was a loud ticking sound, and the exhaust was crackling a little bit.

So I get home and pull it into the garage and pop the hood. I stick my hand by both headers and feel nothing. The ticking I thought would surely be a blown header gasket, but the sound appears to be coming from the end of the h-pipe (towards the cat-back). Anyone have any ideas? I know its not good to drive around with a header leak, and I did use the crappy BBK gaskets

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[SilverBullet00]

anyone? I really need help with this ~ Going to try and clean the MAF and the IAC tomorrow, hopefully it helps

 

[natronathon]

common guys, help him out... I dunno josh, it didnt sound like a header leak tonight, cause the ticking sound was only apparent when the ac was on. but you said it was all the time today even when the ac was off, any ideas guys?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

Check for a loose spark plug. That's what it sounds like to me. They sometimes work their way loose and the "missing" combined with the sound of an exhaust leak is a normal sign of this.

 

[gtvertsoon]

I had a big time header leak when I installed my LT's and the car ran fine. The ticking was unbearable tho, made the car sound like an old truck. Ticking speed and tone went up with the rpms. Make a sound clip and post it. Other than that, I have no clue what it could be. Have you done any exhaust mods lately?

 

[SilverBullet00]

Check for a loose spark plug. That's what it sounds like to me. They sometimes work their way loose and the "missing" combined with the sound of an exhaust leak is a normal sign of this.

Well, I did just change my plugs, I will have to look at that.

And I havent done any exhaust mods lately, but I know I have a couple small leaks

 

[lover]

I don't know if your jerking was the same as my vibrating. I had a fouled spark plug. It would vibrate until I reached a certain speed, then it would go away. I think mine started out with a little jerking, but as the spark plug got worse, almost fused the tip with the body of the plug, it would vibrate to the point where it seemed like a rod or something was broke.....

 

[mity2]

check your EGR connection

 

[SilverBullet00]

status update:

I went out and retorqued all my plugs. ONE was maybe 1/32-1/16 a turn loose, and that same plug had a little bit of oil in the spark plug well and none of the others did. Also I thought it might be the PCV valve so I checked that, and it sucks like a hoover.

After I put it all back together and fired her up there was no rough idling, So I turned on the AC to aggrevate it a little, still fine. I took it around the block and it seemed to be ok, so I guess I will keep an eye on it.

What do you guys think? What could have caused oil in my spark plug well?

 

[Gearbanger 101]

What do you guys think? What could have caused oil in my spark plug well?

It was leaking past the threads because it wasn't turned in tight. This was where some of your compression was escaping to and you were probably getting a little carbon, condensation and oil blowing past as a result.

...that'll be $50.00 for the tech advice. I'll PM you with my paypal account.

 

[SilverBullet00]

Hey, thanks a lot!

lets hope she runs good from now on!