PDA

View Full Version : The Journey of chasing down a exhaust leak.


BmX
06-14-2009, 01:15 PM
Warning. :barf: Shitty grammar ahead.

So, it all started about 4 weeks ago. I replaced my O/r H with my catted H pipe for emission. Since i own both a mac catted H and mac O/r H all i do it switch the legs from catted to Non catted. So, it only invovles switching 2 legs (unbolting 2 parts) So, its not really hard for every 2 years for emission.

So, ever since i did the switch i noticed a nasty sounding exhaust leak. I did the typical thing and brought some FORD OEM metal gaskets from ford. I went through two of them still having the exhaust leak. Next i brought a mac paper gasket which i like better because its a anti-stupid installation as both sides are identical. (Ford can be installed backwards)

So, i added the mac gasket yesterday :groovy: and did the little groovy dance as i bolted up the last bolt. Fired up the car and the leak is... :groovy: :cheers: STILL THERE.

:pissed::pissed::pissed::pissed::pissed: :nono:

So, now im guessing its leaking @ the flange since one stud is backed out of the ball joint thnigie. So, i fixed that up and the leak is :cheers: still there.


Today, i got FED up :dunno: and stuffed both of my tailpipes with old wet rags after i drove the c ar up on rhino ramps.

Now the exhaust sounded so shitty like this, but that proved i had a leak somewhere. Guess where it was? After chasing this exhaust leak for 4-5 week the leak was at the H pipe crossover section. Right at the weld.. Now it didnt happen when i switched my pipes for emission because i never touch the H section.. just the legs.
The black dot is the hole/crack from rust i guess:
http://i39.tinypic.com/2pq2r78.gif

So the solution?? :dunno::dunno: Any ideas from the MX'ers.

Of course... Remember i said i own both a mac catted H and Mac O/r H which both come in 3 sections to complete the pipe. Picture below:
http://www.lethalperformance.com/images/MAC-C4699.jpghttp://www.lethalperformance.com/images/medium/MAC-43969_MED.jpg

So the best way to fix this would be switch the h section i have laying in my basement doing nothing. Yep, you got it. I guess winter took its toll on my non duracoated Hpipe. But i have the dura coated h pipe in my basement.


Glad i brought both versions of the hpipe lol:




The silver leaking H on the car http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/tw1sta/pit/PICT0045.gif

the black h on the ground http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v321/tw1sta/pit/PICT0042.gif

Now im willing to pay some money for anyone who has the X section for my midpipe. Mac did make a xpipe years years ago. So, if anyone has it laying around let me know. Also, im lookng for the prochamber section.( i sold the 2 piece non duracoated o/r chamber about 2 years ago that shown in that picture above fyi) I want the prochamber section from a 3 piece one though. http://www.speedconcepts.net/images/CX9904_Blk02.jpg?osCsid=53f59cd5c8e2bf504056876eeb 5bcce0 http://www.lethalperformance.com/cached_images/MAC-PC9900_MED.jpg

DropTopStang
06-14-2009, 02:04 PM
sorry, I don't have any of those parts...but i enjoyed reading that writeup lol

BmX
06-14-2009, 03:07 PM
so i just got done in about 25-30 minutes start to finish. The crack seems like a stress crack more than anything.. its freakign huge. WTF. Ill try to snap some pics

BmX
06-14-2009, 03:29 PM
man the car sounds so good with the older style H on there. Im not sure how long the crack has been there but it did change the tone of my exhaust alot!!! :pissed:

edit: the car actually breaks loose so easy now. So changing the stock plugs/ stock wires @ 140K miles than switching the broken H on my H pipe really tuned this car up.

So i know for a fact.. a hole in the crossover section will defiantly rob your car of ALOT of horsepower :nono:

IMPORT KILLER
06-14-2009, 08:02 PM
i need a new mid pipe...

BmX
06-14-2009, 08:29 PM
i need a new mid pipe...

What wrong with that one ? =] i was looking for an O/r X , so if u get one and want to sell that one. Let me know

IMPORT KILLER
06-14-2009, 08:47 PM
yeah ill sell it to you i orginally got it from a guy that had a GT and it just fits kinda funny on the cobra and has a bit of an exhaust leak because of how it fits so im kinda looking for something else im thinking about the prochamber because it sounds awesome with magnapacks but so dose an o/r x so i dont know i just need to get the money and figure out what i want.

BmX
06-14-2009, 09:12 PM
yeah ill sell it to you i originally got it from a guy that had a GT and it just fits kinda funny on the cobra and has a bit of an exhaust leak because of how it fits so im kinda looking for something else im thinking about the prochamber because it sounds awesome with magnapacks but so dose an o/r x so i dont know i just need to get the money and figure out what i want.

:groovy: Good luck on the search. The prochamber does sound awesome. I use to own one with flowmasters

IMPORT KILLER
06-14-2009, 09:20 PM
i have a set of flowmasters laying arround.. with dumps on them... and realistically i need more luck on the obtaining of the money more then the searching for the mid pipe... because im not making any of the green stuff.

BmX
06-14-2009, 09:48 PM
i have a set of flowmasters laying arround.. with dumps on them... and realistically i need more luck on the obtaining of the money more then the searching for the mid pipe... because im not making any of the green stuff.

:thumbsup: Understandable. You might be able to find a sweet deal on these other mustang forum for a used midpipe in good condition. I doubt im buying a new midpipe.. i just want a used o/r X .

Money is tough to get now of days. Hope it gets easier for you bro :cheers:

IMPORT KILLER
06-14-2009, 09:57 PM
well right now im driving a taxi and im working for a company thats making some very bad decisions which is killing our night shift which is the shift im on and this bastard things he is the best thing since sliced bread and he knows what hes doing blah blah blah.... in the past 3 days no one has taken home more then $50

DropTopStang
06-15-2009, 12:14 AM
I don't know if the midpipes for a 2003 mach will fit a 97 gt...if I wasn't about to go to bed I would google it, but I will be selling mine in the next few weeks...i'm going with a H or pro chamber

IMPORT KILLER
06-15-2009, 04:56 AM
I don't know if the midpipes for a 2003 mach will fit a 97 gt...if I wasn't about to go to bed I would google it, but I will be selling mine in the next few weeks...i'm going with a H or pro chamber

there are some slight differences... nothing a grinder sawzall and a welder cant fix...