Possible blown exhaust manifold gasket
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
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Possible blown exhaust manifold gasket
Hi everyone,
I am hearing a somewhat quiet hiss that seems to be coming from the exhaust manifold area. The car runs really well, no issues at all, and I don’t hear the his while driving. I can only hear it with the car running at idle and the bonnet open. I also do smell exhaust from the engine bay as well (just slight). I want to make sure that this is indeed the issue before I pull the gasket. How might one go about tracking down the leak? I’d go have it smoke tested, but having done all the work on my car for the last 10 years, I do pride myself in doing it at home. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
I am hearing a somewhat quiet hiss that seems to be coming from the exhaust manifold area. The car runs really well, no issues at all, and I don’t hear the his while driving. I can only hear it with the car running at idle and the bonnet open. I also do smell exhaust from the engine bay as well (just slight). I want to make sure that this is indeed the issue before I pull the gasket. How might one go about tracking down the leak? I’d go have it smoke tested, but having done all the work on my car for the last 10 years, I do pride myself in doing it at home. Any help is appreciated! Thanks!
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 766
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From: Texas
Is it a constant hiss or does it fluctuate with throttle response? I don’t recall ever hearing a hiss from an exhaust leak. Usually it’s a putting sound. A hiss is usually a vacuum leak. Get a mechanics stethoscope and listen around the engine. You will be able to pinpoint the source pretty easily.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
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Thanks! I don't have someone around to help check it with different throttle settings. The engine seems to be holding a strong vacuum however. I suppose it could be the valve cover gasket, but I just replaced that. Not sure what the smell would be about though. I'll grab a stethoscope and see if I can't pinpoint it that way.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
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Update. Best I can tell it is coming from the power steering reservoir. That is the only suggestion of a hiss I got with the stethoscope. I guess maybe the cap is leaking pressure which I am not sure is by design or not.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Nov 2009
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You guys were right. It’s not the power steering reservoir and I checked the coolant reservoir and it’s not coming from there. It does seem to be coming from the exhaust somewhere. I haven’t had a chance to let the car cool and pull the exhaust manifold heat shield, but that’s next. Hopefully it’s just the gasket, but I’ve wanted a header for a bit.... just didn’t want to spend the money right now. I’ll update when I can.
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2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 54
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From: Mt. Airy MD
You could be hearing the noise from a cracked catalytic converter. It cracks at the upper weld on the cat, it is under a shield and you can't really see it unless you remove the header/cat pipe. It isn't that hard to do if you get the car up in the air. I welded mine back together and it seems to be holding up pretty well. The noise will get progressively louder until it comes completely apart then it is LOUD and it will drive you out of the car.
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