Leak after mid-pipe install?

[Skidzz]

I just installed my magnaflow catted x. When I was finished it seemed fine, didn't seem to have any leaks. But I've noticed once in a while when I give it gas I feel a pretty bad vibration and usually when I give it gas I hear a fast pace "chik chik chik chik" sound. Sometimes it is worse than others. You guys think it's a leak between the x-pipe and the stock headers? Is there any sure-fire way to find out if it's a leak?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

If you Seafoam it you will be able to see smoke leaking out if there are leaks.

 

[Skidzz]

Cool, thanks. I was thinking about doing that. I'll try it on my next day off.

 

[merc123]

chik chik chik sounds like exhaust leak.

not sure about the vibration. could be tires

 

[blackfang]

The seafoam method? Where do you people come up with assinine methods of fixing or finding ****?

Either wait for a cold day and start it up. You will see the leak.

Or

Put the car on ramps or jacks and get under the car. With it running, Feel around the exhaust where it connects to the manifolds and catback. If you feel air, see something or hear the exhaust, you will know.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

The seafoam method? Where do you people come up with assinine methods of fixing or finding ****?

FYI, when you result to insults you just make yourself look stupid

 

[blackfang]

Can't be anyworse that your lame tech advice.

Insults? No just being very honest and blunt. Sorry you get butthurt when someone says you give advicer only ricers would even try.

I bet if you try a flame thrower you might find that leak

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Dude, I am not going to bother arguing with you as you are not worth it. I am just going to put you back on my ignore list, again...

 

[timeless2]

Gents, arguments belong elsewhere.

OP: Are you sure you got every joint tight and used the proper gaskets, where applicable?

 

[merc123]

i never thought about doing seafoam. You'll see the smoke for sure then.

 

[JohnyD05]

I just installed my magnaflow catted x. When I was finished it seemed fine, didn't seem to have any leaks. But I've noticed once in a while when I give it gas I feel a pretty bad vibration and usually when I give it gas I hear a fast pace "chik chik chik chik" sound. Sometimes it is worse than others. You guys think it's a leak between the x-pipe and the stock headers? Is there any sure-fire way to find out if it's a leak?

I don't know why you would have a vibration?! I would get under the car and have some give it a little gas from the throttle body... You might be able to hear it better see if u can figure out what side it is coming from and then tighten up that side. Its most likely a leak from the head to mid pipe connection. I had the same problem, and i noticed it more when i was at a lower RPM and i gave it alot of gas, the tick tick... didn't happen as fast so it was more pronounced. I have a feeling when your exhaust heats up it tightens up the seal, so you would hear it less.

 

[JohnyD05]

I agree with blackfang, get under the car, or look on a cold day. IF you use seafoam you won't see **** in the cloud of smoke the swallows the entire car. IF you spray the joint with soapy water, you might see the leak creating bubbles in the water. Similar with how u do it for a flat tire, to find the puncture. Not sure if thay will work, its just an idea. Atleas you won't need a gas mask.

 

[menasci]

Seafoam method seams fine to me
Kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

 

[JohnyD05]

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I think either method will work fine...

 

[blackfang]

See the issue here is half the advice here is just from bs. Seafoam this and seafoam that. Seafoam is not used to find leaks. Do it correctly and the easy way. If I did half the stuff you guys recommend on my customers cars, I'd be out of a job.

Maybe that is the professional side of me coming out in doing something the correct way and the easy way.

For one, seafoam will smoke alot and you probably will not see it. Case in point from my experience, I had an exhaust leak on my cobra and I didn't see it. The reason is with seafoam putting out alot of smoke to where the entire back end of my car was a cloud full of smoke. Easily missed. What I did was listen to it and got under the car on a cold day and bingo it showed right up. I rewelded it and was done. I didn't have to run any chemicals through the engine(which if you seafoam it all the time you can cause damage) to find a solution to an exhaust leak.

Come on gents, lets use our head here.

Kilgore frankly I don't care. Put me on ignore, it won't bother me one bit. You must have me confused with someone who actually gives a damn.
Hell the other thread you gave advice to a guy in servicing an auto tranny when its stated he has a 5 speed.

 

[JohnyD05]

hahahahaha

 

[xseler8]

Gents, arguments belong elsewhere.

OP: Are you sure you got every joint tight and used the proper gaskets, where applicable?

Yeah,we're trying to help each other out here. My mid pipe had a leak type sound. I had the connecting points checked and re-tightened.
BTW...what is seafoam and what is it's official use? Thanks

 

[KronicRacer]

blackfang has a good point too much sea foam is not good. if seafoam has not been done on the car and there isnt any cold weather sea foam would be a way to go.

i personally would rather try retightening and repositioning the parts. if its the drivrs side. it might be a bolt issue and napa carries the bolts potentially needed.(guys provide bolt numbers i forgot what they were.)

 

[timeless2]

BTW...what is seafoam and what is it's official use? Thanks

Everything and more than you want to know.