Exhaust Leak!

connan23 · 11-04-2009, 01:33 PM

Hello, I recently replaced the head gasket on my 2001 s10. I successfully did that. Truck is running great. However I have had an exhaust leak ever since I did that. I thought maybe the collector gasket was bad since from me messing with the exhaust manifold during the head gasket replacement. So i replaced the collector gasket but there is still a leak. Im starting to think the actual manifold is cracked. But im not sure, is there anything else it could be???? I need to handle this quick because my truck has expired inspection tags and i already got a ticket! i would really appreciate any help.

JACKEL · 11-04-2009, 01:44 PM

Did you replace the exhaust manifold gasket? They are a one-use gasket.....like most. If you pulled the manifold off the head, then replace that gasket and the one at the collector where the down tube attaches. HIGHLY doubt you cracked the manifold itself unless you dropped it on concrete or some thing. If that doesn't solve it I would suspect the flex pipe.

With the truck running, try and put your hand near the exhaust, not actually touching, and try to feel for puffs of air.

connan23 · 11-04-2009, 02:02 PM

I did replace the manifold gasket. I did not drop the manifold, one of my friends could have kicked it or something and never told me!! I already tried feeling for puffs of air and there was nothing.

JACKEL · 11-05-2009, 01:09 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by connan23

I did replace the manifold gasket. I did not drop the manifold, one of my friends could have kicked it or something and never told me!! I already tried feeling for puffs of air and there was nothing.

Sooooo, how do you know you have a leak then?

connan23 · 11-17-2009, 12:29 PM

because I can hear it, it is way louder than it should be. And when I went to get it inspected they failed it.

Bobthebiker · 11-17-2009, 02:39 PM

are you sure its not a hole in your flex pipe?

serpentracer · 11-17-2009, 09:09 PM

a flex pipe almost has to be replaced every few years. they are the most horrible trick car companies have ever come up with.

mine started leaking so bad(never got louder though) my truck started throwing a system too lean code.

Bobthebiker · 11-17-2009, 10:10 PM

Someone apparently didnt like the idea of replacing mine, so they simply welded the living shit out of that flex joint. no way in HELL its leaking again after what they did.

firetruckred · 12-02-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by serpentracer

a flex pipe almost has to be replaced every few years. they are the most horrible trick car companies have ever come up with.

mine started leaking so bad(never got louder though) my truck started throwing a system too lean code.

Have the same issue and the flex pipe looks like its it.. do you know if I can just get that piece for repair, or do I need to get the entire downpipe ?

**beandip** · 12-03-2009, 01:27 PM

Run 1/3 bottle of seafoam though your brake booster, let it sit with the engine off for 15 minutes then start it up. With all the white smoke that it will dump out it will be easy to find any exhaust leak.

11-04-2009, 01:33 PM	#1
connan23 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	Exhaust Leak! Hello, I recently replaced the head gasket on my 2001 s10. I successfully did that. Truck is running great. However I have had an exhaust leak ever since I did that. I thought maybe the collector gasket was bad since from me messing with the exhaust manifold during the head gasket replacement. So i replaced the collector gasket but there is still a leak. Im starting to think the actual manifold is cracked. But im not sure, is there anything else it could be???? I need to handle this quick because my truck has expired inspection tags and i already got a ticket! i would really appreciate any help.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2009, 01:44 PM	#2
JACKEL I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 79 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,076 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! Did you replace the exhaust manifold gasket? They are a one-use gasket.....like most. If you pulled the manifold off the head, then replace that gasket and the one at the collector where the down tube attaches. HIGHLY doubt you cracked the manifold itself unless you dropped it on concrete or some thing. If that doesn't solve it I would suspect the flex pipe. With the truck running, try and put your hand near the exhaust, not actually touching, and try to feel for puffs of air.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2009, 02:02 PM	#3
connan23 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! I did replace the manifold gasket. I did not drop the manifold, one of my friends could have kicked it or something and never told me!! I already tried feeling for puffs of air and there was nothing.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-05-2009, 01:09 PM	#4
JACKEL I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 79 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 5,076 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! Quote: Originally Posted by connan23 I did replace the manifold gasket. I did not drop the manifold, one of my friends could have kicked it or something and never told me!! I already tried feeling for puffs of air and there was nothing. Sooooo, how do you know you have a leak then?
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2009, 12:29 PM	#5
connan23 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 18 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! because I can hear it, it is way louder than it should be. And when I went to get it inspected they failed it.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2009, 02:39 PM	#6
Bobthebiker Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 713 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! are you sure its not a hole in your flex pipe?
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11-17-2009, 09:09 PM	#7
serpentracer 4 wheels aren't as fun Age: 34 Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 1,116 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! a flex pipe almost has to be replaced every few years. they are the most horrible trick car companies have ever come up with. mine started leaking so bad(never got louder though) my truck started throwing a system too lean code.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-17-2009, 10:10 PM	#8
Bobthebiker Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 713 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! Someone apparently didnt like the idea of replacing mine, so they simply welded the living shit out of that flex joint. no way in HELL its leaking again after what they did.
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-02-2009, 09:19 PM	#9
firetruckred Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 7 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! Quote: Originally Posted by serpentracer a flex pipe almost has to be replaced every few years. they are the most horrible trick car companies have ever come up with. mine started leaking so bad(never got louder though) my truck started throwing a system too lean code. Have the same issue and the flex pipe looks like its it.. do you know if I can just get that piece for repair, or do I need to get the entire downpipe ?
	[Reply w/Quote]

12-03-2009, 01:27 PM	#10
beandip I hate beans Age: 22 Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,493 Location: Cache, OK User is: OffLine	Re: Exhaust Leak! Run 1/3 bottle of seafoam though your brake booster, let it sit with the engine off for 15 minutes then start it up. With all the white smoke that it will dump out it will be easy to find any exhaust leak.
	[Reply w/Quote]