Does anybody else get the exhuast 'sucked' into thier car when driving around with windows down? I have stock exhuast system, downturned stock tips.

 

Sounds like you might have an ex. leak somewhere....

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

 

I thought I saw some exhuast leaking out from my car (infront) a few weeks ago, in the morning...but I have been checking every now and then (when its cool out, of course), and I havent seen it again..

 

Does the car make a "ticking" sound or is it any louder?

------------------
ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

 

Actually, it does make a kind of 'ticking' noise

 

Time to jack it up and check it out.

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ASE Mechanic/Machinist/Smog Tech

1999 NBM Trans Am
1986 Chevy 3/4 ton pick up
1981 corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R
and 2 POS commuters...

R.I.P. #3
"He can see air"

[This message has been edited by Engineboy (edited November 24, 2001).]

 

How could I tell, for sure, if I have a leak?

 

Well, you could check to see if you smell exhaust inside the car with the windows down... that's a pretty good sign. Seems like you've already got that covered, so it's clearly established that you have an exhaust leak, time to find and fix it.

Start by tightening all the bolts under the hood. That would include all the bolts that hold the manifolds to the heads, and the Y-pipe to the manifolds. Then put the car up on jack stands and get up under it with the engine running, and listen for leaks.

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"So many Mustangs, so little time..."
ICON Motorsports

 

ok

 

What actually makes the ticking noise?

 

An exhaust leak close to the engine makes ticking noises. The pulses from individual cylinders, escaping through the leak, make the sound.

 

If the ticking is around your feet, I would take a look at the Y-pipe.

 

I had a problem like that on one of my birds that continued even after all the exhaust leaks had been buttoned up. Turned out there was a sizeable rust hole in the passenger rear quarter under the spare tire.... whenever i drove it sucked the exhaust straight into the car. Maybe not your problem, but check anyways as its easily overlooked.

 

LOL. Well, on a possibly related note, the carpet under my floor mats is ALWAYS wet. I mean, it could be like 80 w/ 0% humidity for like 2 weeks, and the carpet will be wet...and when it rains.... Now, this is bad, i know...but I could mayeb have a small rust hole. But first I gotta fix my floor jck, it blew an o-ring! (i think...)

 

Jack the car up high, preferably a lift. put a large, damp rag over your exhaust briefely. if you have an exhaust leak you'll defienately hear it screaming out of wherever the hole is. this works best with two people, one covering the exhaust at the back of the car and the other feeling around where the leak is coming from. do this while the engine is cold so u dont run the chance of getting burned, it will take a couple minutes for the gasses to get real hot. oh and dont hold the rag there too long, your engine wont like it.

 

Yeah, I'd imagine it wouldnt. Um, I am thinking I should just go try 2 climb under my car one morning, whens its nice and cold out and look fer exhuast.

 

thats a good idea. just have someone cover the exhaust temporarly for a few seconds. if your going to do it on the ground tho where some goggles and at least get a jack on one side. flashlight will help to spot holes too.

oh and double check that its in park, might even want to pull the ebrake too

 

Naturally. Safety first!

 

Check to make sure your hatch is closing properly. I had this problem. When i bought my car, the power pull down hatch was messed up, so the hatch wasn't sealing. Soon as you roll down a window, it sucks the fumes in through the hatch. Check this out and see if it's your problem. My car was so bad that you could see carbon buildup inside my hatch/trunk area.

 

Wow. Thats an interesting idea. Maybe I should check this out...But might there be like wind noises (you know what I mean...right?) if your hatch isnt sealing good?

 

To be honest with you, I never heard any sounds whatsoever. They could have been there and i never noticed, but I really never heard a thing. I'd definately check this out. Your hatch may not be fully closing or the weatherstriping might be bad. Mine wasn't locking down tight, because of my power hatch being bad. I ended up driliing two holes into the track when i had the hatch closing tightly and then perminantly set it in that position by simply sliding a couple bolts through the holes. Look at the lid where your hatch closes, if you see a black/brownish dirt builup, this could be your problem ( i think that only occurs if it has been happening for quite some time) I purchased my car with this problem and it was driving me nuts. Hope this helps you out

 

It gives me a new idea. Thanks. Now I just gotta figure out a way (other that carbon build up) to test it...