Well, my post before, people told me to look at the 'collector', where the exhaust manifold meets up with the cats. It looks ok. I checked the head, its really tight, no movement. Looks good. No leaks. I had my uncle with me and I revved it a bit and he listed by the front passanger wheel. He swore it was coming from that collector joint.

I called the exhaust place that didn't find the original leak like I asked them. I told them me and my ucnle where under the truck while it was running and where positive it was that. Well... they lifted it and checked it out. He manager came over who did my exhaust the first time. They said they heard it, but couldn't find it. So the manager told the guy 'Just tighten it up so he wont come here a third time...' Nice eh?

Anyway, brought it back home kind of upset, because its really loud. Its just about as loud as the mangaflow exhaust Well, I got it home, jacked it up, remove the front passanger tire. I see the exhaust manafold just fine. So I broke each bolt loose, and retightened it to be safe. Same with with the collector. My dad came out, and we went through it. I revved it, he listedn. He swears its from the exhaust, no vacuum leaks or anything...and he is almost positive its the exhaust manfold. He suggested buying two new gaskets and doing both sides with new gaskets. What do you guys think? Possible? I went under and listened while he revved and it is for sure coming from right on that side of the engine, right off the engine. So I think he may be right. Is it worth a shot? Anything else I should look at? Thanks!

 

Wildneg:

You may have the same problem as me. I had a slight "rustling" sound around 1600-1900 RPMs, coming from the exhaust. My local SVT dealer's head tech road with me and heard it. Told me it was a slight exhaust leak.

 

Ya, around 2k or so RPMs and beyond (only if I give it some unf on the pedal)... it'll be really loud exhaust leak. And the only place it could be coming from has to be the headers. I think I'll try replacing the gaskets and see what happens. Can't hurt. Anyone know the part # or where I can get the factory gaskets or ... better ones for that matter. Thanks.

I'll let you know how it goes Cyn.

 

CHECK YOUR SPARK PLUGS.

I had a loud "exhaust" leak noise, it was actually a sparg plug a couple days pre-launch. I swore it was coming from the collector, but it was the #4 passenger side spark plug...

Daniel

 

ThePawn:

What should I look for? Just take the plug off and see if it is loose? Or? If it is, should I just tighten it? And if it isn't loose? Go with the manifold gaskets? Thanks!

 

Remove your coil packs. Then take the 5/8 socket with the extension and see if you can actually remove the plug just with the power of your hand.

The same ticking sound was my cylinder head. Plugs were as tight as Gators butt , but i had oil spewing all over my precat and down the frame rail.

Its annoying trying to find an exhaust leak. How many mods do you have? If very little, take it to Ford and let them diagnose it.

 

Ahh, its a 99 with 42k miles on it. So out of the warranty period. I just have a 4lb pulley, chip, FTVB, and now exhaust. I checked the block, side, behind it, the heads, etc, but no leaks or nothing. It is actually very clean. So slowly eliminating possibilites. I agree, exhaust leaks are a PITA. So, I will check the plugs on the passanger side and see what I can find out. Thanks for the help guys.

 

My noise sounded like a ticking at the passenger exhaust manifold. I swore it was an exhaust leak. My svt mechanic changed all the valve lash adjusters thinking it was those. WRONG!!! Still making the noise when I picked it up. One week later it shot out the third plug back on the passenger side.

I cant tell you enough to

 

My noise sounded like a ticking at the passenger exhaust manifold. I swore it was an exhaust leak. My svt mechanic changed all the valve lash adjusters thinking it was those. WRONG!!! Still making the noise when I picked it up. One week later it shot out the third plug back on the passenger side.

I cant tell you enough to check the plugs. I'm an experienced mechanic and I never would have thought it was the plug making the noise.

Now I've got a new head.

 

Mine has done the exhaust leak tick on me twice now. I just leave the truck running and push on each coil pack, you can feel and hear the loose ones thst way.