Hi guys,

Can someone suggest me a method to find a leak in the exhaust system (headers+cats/muffler)?

I'm hearing a little "ticking" noise form the left side (it's not the chain or valves/tappets, I'm pretty sure) that has to be produced by a small leak somewhere on the welds or flanges. DOesn't go away with revs and I can hear it while coasting near walls or with the car standing still.


Some time ago I had my headers welded on the outside of the flanges because there was a leak. But now that I have installed a new exhaust (about three/four weeks ago) I can't determine if the moise is produced by a header (again) or if the exhaust is not tightened enough to the turbos.


Any ideas?

 

Usually after the install of headers/exhaust, the bolts might need a slight re-torque after a few heat cycles. maybe just hit all the bolts again real quick...

 

check all the bolts... look for black smoke... a leak...

 

Thanks guys, I'll check and re torque all the bolts.

Have a nice day.

 

I doubt you'll see any black smoke; these cars burn too clean. But check your bolts. If you reused gaskets, they need to be replaced.

With everything cold. Use a piece of 3/8-1/3" hose. Hold it to your ear and run around all gasket areas. You will hear where it's leaking. Or, you can use an automotive stethoscope. If you're willing to chance burning yourself on hot exhaust parts, you can just feel around the gasket areas for leaks when the engine first starts in the morning.

 

Update.

The good news is that I have found the leak...

The bad news is that I have TWO leaks....

The worst news is that one of them is located on the coupling between the turbine housing and the compressor housing. It is very very small, but it's a leak...

But the major leak that produces the ticking sound is at the header/turbine flange.

I've found them using talc...sprayed it on the joints and then fired up the engine....pufff...

 

Good tip. Note taken.

A

 

Where did you buy the talc,emadelta ?????? J/K

 

huh???

 

Sorry...I wrote a totally incorrect and actually stupid thing... Obviously there is no direct coupling between comp. and turbine...


I will try to explain through images:

These are not my exact turbos (I have regular K16), but I could not find images of K16's taken on a side view.

 

Hi Emadelta,
Any leak from that area is not good. It could be just a case that the clamps holding the Turbine Housing to the Bearing Core have worked loose. However it is very important the housing is totally secured to the core. If they work loose then the housing will misaligned with the Turbine wheel and do damage to the wheel Usually just rubbing first leading to very quick catastrophic failure of the Turbo. You must check out both of yours. Could be just a case of tightening the 13mm clamping bolts.
This problem is more common with corroded Turbos, I hope yours are not corroded.
Frank.

 

I never head of this problem on turbos, strange!

 

did you change your oil recently? overfill perhaps?

 

Hi Alex,
How are you today.
Unfortunately I have heard and also had this type of problem. My Turbos had corroded so badly they had collapsed.
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ml#post2854656

Either way they should be checked. A loose Turbine Housing will soon let you know. C&R Turbos said mine had been rubbing the Tips of the Turbine for some time.
It could be just the nuts worked loose. lets hope so and no damage. Also check on my link above how the Bearing Core had also cracked and failed as well.
Frank

 

# Hi Markski,
The OP is talking about exhaust blowing from the joint between the Core and Housing. I wouldn't have thought an oil overfill would be the cause. IMO.
Frank