leaky exhaust up front

[ssc1]

just bought a nice 4.0 chimaera and trying to do some of the small jobs that need doing to make it great, and as seems usual there is an exhaust leak somwhere up front in the manifold area, previous owners have had the manifold gaskets replaced before and these seem tight enough but there is still that damn tinkling noise from the exhaust ,can anybody tell me where they usually leak from , this one also has the v-band clamps fitted just before the main cat but they are tight enough, i find that it ruins the sound at low speed, is there anything that i can put on the exhaust to check for leaks ...

[simpo one]

Tinkling? That sounds more like pinking surely?

[T88CAN]

Had similar problems with the Chim, had leak changed manifold gaskets still had leaks eventually tracked done to cracked manifolds where 4 meets 1 had them pressure tested had to replace them very expensive new about £600 each if my memory serves me right went for second hand from Douglas valley. I also believe their has been cases of pitting on the cylinder head? How old/mileage on the Chim? TVR said cracked manifolds only affected pre cat cars !! Wrong mine was 97 P plate
the problem was more frustriating regarding the noise more than any thing else TONY

[lateconvert]

I've got this too on a 99T 5.00. No obvious symptoms other than a really irritating tappety noise at low speeds, worse obviously in narrow streets. Could be a lot of dosh to investigate and rectify so I'll probably leave it and drive with earplugs.

[shpub]

lateconvert said:

I've got this too on a 99T 5.00. No obvious symptoms other than a really irritating tappety noise at low speeds, worse obviously in narrow streets. Could be a lot of dosh to investigate and rectify so I'll probably leave it and drive with earplugs.

If it is leaky gaskets, then leaving it could be even more dosh as the gases erode the surface and instead of a small bill, the heads need to be removed and machined or even replaced.

Bit like playing Russian Roulette... How lucky do you feel?

[lateconvert]

Steve,
I've suddenly taken my earplugs out and am booking-in to Mole Valley for a look-see.

[ssc1]

can anybody tell me if there is a gasket at the join between the main cat and the manifold join where the v-band clamps sit as mine seems to be leaking there as there are a few black marks where the exhaust gases have been leaking...

[T88CAN]

NO GASKET

[ssc1]

no gasket ok right then its a bit of exhaust sealant then ,ive got just the stuff .

[T88CAN]

Ian I didn,t mention that i bought the silver foil type exhaust bandges and wrapped it round the joints when i was eliminating parts of the exhaust/manifolds as i too had black marks around the down pipe area under the main cat unfortunatly it didn,t work but it was easier than trying exhaust paste TONY

[ssc1]

thanks for that ,anyway i tried the paste in the joints at it was easy enough, and guess what yes its still got a small leak somwhere and as you mentioned silver foil that reminded me of the last chimaera that i owned it had the same sort of prob though not quite as bad and i just wrapped the manifolds as far as the main cat and the noise was gone for good.....ian.still gave a BMW M3 a good veiw of the back end as i dissapeared....

[minirace]

I recently had similar problem on my 430 Chimp, appeared to be obvious exhaust leak, David Batty changed manifold gaskets, but it no joy. It turned out to be the head gasket blowing right at the back under the bulk head. David changed head gasket and other general service bits also converted gas on aircon for just over £1,000. He is a real top TVR bloke !