My exhaust note on my stang is inconsistent. Sometimes it rumbles and has a distinct tone and other times it just sounds like compressed air coming out of the tips. Could this be the symptom of an exhaust leak? Or is this nothing I really should be concerned with because it happens to everyone. My car is the only one that I hear on a regular basis so I can't really compare it to other stangs. FYI I'm running Spintech Side Exhaust Mufflers (w/Roush side skirts) and a MRT Hi-Flow H-Pipe (w/Cats).
How Do You Know If You Have An Exhaust Leak?
- Thread starter T-Sho
- Start date
an exhaust leak will sound loudest first thing in the morning with the engine stone cold. you'll get a loud tick that increases with rpm's and goes away as the engine heats up
then eventually a check engine light saying you're running lean
then eventually a check engine light saying you're running lean
StangYellow
Founding Member
- Sep 11, 2002
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Your air/fuel mixture isnt dependent on exhaust flow. If your o2 sensors actually do trigger the check engine light.... it actually makes your engine run richer by default.
Dusstbuster
I love meat more than anything! I just have a spec
But if the leak is before the 02 sensor then its not getting all the fumes so it thinks that there is less fuel than there should be so it throws a lean code and makes you run rich.
Twista
Active Member
With cats i would always get the compressed air sound. Soon as you drop the cats than youll have pure rumble.
What does a leak farther downstream sound like?
Say after the cats?
I'm asking because I have a similar problem to the OP.
My Magnaflow catback sounds louder at times than other times and I suspect an exahust leak somewhere but I can't find anything.
It's definitely after the mid pipe which is the stock H pipe.
I never get any ticking or anything like that, the exahust is just louder (more drone actually) some days.
Any idea how to locate where the leak might be?
never heard of anyone with a problem like that. most leaks happen at the exhaust manifold gaskets, either to the head or to the mid-pipe
if you think it's after the midpipe check and tighten the bolts on the catback-midpipe connection, only logical place i see it being. Magnaflow products (and OEM pieces) aren't known to rust apart and start leaking from weld joints
only way i know to check for a leak is to place your hand over where you think the leak might be or spray some soapy water on it and look for bubbles. you'll only have a few minutes to check before it heats up though
if you think it's after the midpipe check and tighten the bolts on the catback-midpipe connection, only logical place i see it being. Magnaflow products (and OEM pieces) aren't known to rust apart and start leaking from weld joints
only way i know to check for a leak is to place your hand over where you think the leak might be or spray some soapy water on it and look for bubbles. you'll only have a few minutes to check before it heats up though
StangYellow
Founding Member
- Sep 11, 2002
- 1,052
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never heard of anyone with a problem like that. most leaks happen at the exhaust manifold gaskets, either to the head or to the mid-pipe
if you think it's after the midpipe check and tighten the bolts on the catback-midpipe connection, only logical place i see it being. Magnaflow products (and OEM pieces) aren't known to rust apart and start leaking from weld joints
only way i know to check for a leak is to place your hand over where you think the leak might be or spray some soapy water on it and look for bubbles. you'll only have a few minutes to check before it heats up though
I hear ya!
I kinda felt like an idiot asking this question, but since someone else already did I figured WTF!!
FWIW I know what the typical manifold/header/midpipe leak sounds like (ticking) and I know what holes in the exhaust system sound like, (rice ) but this one is weird.
I'm starting to think I have a clearence problem with the Magnaflow and when it's hitting, or maybe stressing a hanger too tight, I get the drone. Hit another bump and it might re-arrange itself and go away.
It sounds fine outside the car, it's just inside the car and when it's doing it, it's mostly a worse drone around 2k than normal.
Time to soap things up!!
Dusstbuster
I love meat more than anything! I just have a spec
Thats what i said
Yeah I made a dirka post. I thought it sounded like you were saying an exhaust leak wouldn't affect the A/F ratio...meh, I'm stupid some nights.
