Exhaust leak

[10achik]

My RL recently developed an exhaust leak, but I can't seem to find it, it sounds like a freakin tractor and it feels like I'm losing power too. What would be the most likely place to find this leak? The leak appears to be coming from the back of the engine, but I can't really pin point it as I haven't put it up on a lift and I'm listening out in my driveway. I'll have access to a lift on Wednesday, so I'll be able to look closer then, but it would be nice to know where the most obvious place would be.

I was thinking it could be the manifold, if it is I was thinking of just putting some headers on, I found a set of pacesetters for cheap, are these any good?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sierominus]

I think I have the same sound you're talking about. Like a "rattling" type sound. I thought it was my heatshield above my exhaust so I ripped that off. The sound went away for a month but, now its back again and twice as loud. I found another heatshield that I believe is causing it right above the converter so that one is coming off as soon as I can get time.

[Benfica7]

I had an exhaust leak that my dealer fixed...Not sure where it was but they replaced my charcoal filter. Are you throwing a code?

[Redline485]

I would check the flex pipe on the downpipe.

[Dainslaif]

Originally Posted by Redline485

I would check the flex pipe on the downpipe.

I second this.

Is it the stock downpipe or aftermarket? If it's stock, I'd suggest upgrading. Might as well since repairing a flex pipe is going to cost you about $200.

[10achik]

Originally Posted by Benfica7

I had an exhaust leak that my dealer fixed...Not sure where it was but they replaced my charcoal filter. Are you throwing a code?

No codes at all.

Originally Posted by Dainslaif

I second this.

Is it the stock downpipe or aftermarket? If it's stock, I'd suggest upgrading. Might as well since repairing a flex pipe is going to cost you about $200.

As far as I know it's the stock one, I haven't started upgrading it yet. I know the previous owner didn't do any upgrades. As far as what the first owner did, I have no idea. I'll have it up on the lift tomorrow so I can get a better look at it. This is my first tuner car, I've always been into 4X4s and have done everything from axle swaps to engine rebuilds and I've finally finished my last project so this one is next, but for some reason I look under the hood if this thing and I feel like a monkey screwing a football

Thanks for the help, I'll post back with my findings tomorrow or Thursday. Oh and what's the word on those pacesetter headers, I found them cheap enough that if they are a worthwhile mod, I might go ahead and pick them up.

[BLOWN ION]

the general consensus i've gathered from here on pacesetter products is...they're cheap for a reason..

[redlineinsc]

check the flexpipe, these are notorious for sucking at life... i just had to replace mine w/ a 3in aftermarket one

[Dainslaif]

Aye for both of the above - Pacesetter products are cheap and you get exactly what you pay for. IMO if this is going to be a project car, I'd save up and spend the coin for a good quality product (like the one in my sig).

And like Drew said - flex pipes are pretty common to go on this car, almost as common to go out as the cat.

[10achik]

I'm not really looking to be the fastest redline out there, it's going to be my DD for awhile. I was hoping to get in the 250-270 hp range and still keep it dependable. So I'm assuming I need to be looking towards the Stage 2 kit, headers, and exhaust. Thing is, this exhaust leak problem has moved up my time table a bit.

Thanks for the input, BTW Dainslaif I don't see your sig for some reason, what do you have?