I've had an exhaust leak for a while. Part of it is my fault (I rushed the install job) but apparently part of it wasn't.

When we pulled the chimney off yesterday to get started on my clutch, there was exhaust all over it. Turns out one of the nuts on the exhaust manifold stud was completely missing (on the last stud at the end of the manifold). We put a new nut and washer on it.

When we fired the car up, you could still hear an exhaust leak. It wasn't under the car, but you could hear it from below coming from the engine bay. From above (with all the stovepipe stuff in), you could feel some air, but couldn't hear anything.

Today I set about trying to figure what else was loose. All the exhaust nuts were tight, so I just started tightening things down.

Turns out one of the bolts holding the turbo onto the exhaust manifold had worked itself most of the way out. Tightened it up and no more leak.

So... check them nuts and bolts guys... especially if you drive the car hard.

 

Good to know, thanks.

 

were these nuts and bolts loose from the factory? or was previous work done on it and/or torqued incorrectly in the first place?

 

I'd been around there installing the o2 housing, but I never removed/loosened them. So who knows where they were looser. But my car is driven decently hard.

 

interesting... ill be checking them in that case! lol

 

hmm...sounds more like your studs are working there way loose...once this happens the nuts will be loose and just fall off. Keep an eye on it for sure.... you may end up having to helicoil a new stud in.

I had a similar problem on my Mr2... i kept replacing the nut and washer, and then one day the entire stud just fell out LOL

John

 

Thanks for the heads up.