How to find that elusive exhaust manifold leak

[tvrbob]

Is it gasket or is it manifold?

Having tried looking, listening, feeling, using a stethoscope and a listening bar, nothing could give me proof that my leak was gasket or manifold failure.

The problem is that the sound of the leak is lost among all the other engine noises and the manifolds get too hot too quickly to go poking fingers around to sense where the leak originates.

Method -

Two rubber bungs, one with a hole, some sealing tape, a piece of rubber tube and a willing wife.

Bung one tail pipe and fit the bung with a hole to the other. Fit the tube to the bung with a hole and let the wife blow to her hearts content.

I, at the other end, soapy water in hand, quietly dabbed suds around with a paintbrush until the bubbles pinpointed the leak.

In my case the leak was in the centre of the four pipes where they join into one. So it's two new Act manifolds for me then!!

Basic equipment

A bung with a hole

All bunged up

Close up

[sparkythecat]

That's a useful tip Bob.

Unfortunately, unlike you, most of us are unlikely to have a load of old colonic irrigation kit and a voluminous old windbag lying round the house.

[TT Tim]

tvrbob said:

Fit the tube to the bung with a hole and let the wife blow to her hearts content.

I, at the other end, soapy water in hand, quietly dabbed suds around with a paintbrush.

No prizes why you married her then

Tim

Edited by TT Tim on Thursday 17th August 18:03

[leorest]

Good idea. Just don't forget to take the bungs out afterwards!

I wonder how far it would travel?

[V8 Kieran]

I had exactly same - crack right down in the,er, gusset between 4 pipes. No bu99er could find it until Offords used stethoscope/copper tube - found in about 2.5 seconds. I listened through stethoscope - obvious as could be.

Like you said - two s/s pre-catless ACT manifolds (no more than one side OE!!) Only trouble was - good side sheared a stud, so did cost a bit in the end, dammit!

[S33 TVR]

Nice touch, the bung, tube and all that.

My wife burnt her lips on the exhaust when she was testing mine