Justin11141

so im driving home one night from work and i hear a strange metal against metal sound..like cling cling clang. then i start hearing a weird low rattling noise from the front drivers side of the engine bay. around the valve cover and end of the headers. it only rattles when i accelerate and as i push the gas harder it gets louder. i notice that theres a hole on top that i'd never noticed before and it pushes warm air out on idle. i believe its at the end of the headers but its some pipe. ( im not sure what the part is or called) i dont know if that hole is supposed to be there but it looks like there are threads in it. i have some pics but it wont let me post attatchments

Injuneer

What year, what engine?

You can establish an "album" in the "Photos" section, and upload the pics, then link or embed them in your posts.

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sit...28-com-699204/

You need a "Signature" with basic info abut your car.

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/lt1...nature-879835/

Justin11141

I uploaded them

Justin11141

97 lt1

Injuneer

OK... now post a link to each photo you want us to look at in this thread. Or embed the images in a post with the [img] tags. There is a URL address in the box right below the picture that you can copy and paste.

Injuneer

And looking at your album, that is the connection on the header for the AIR pump discharge into the header. You either need a line from the AIR pump to a check valve, connected to that hole, or you need a plug in the hole to prevent exhaust from escaping, or air to be inducted. With it open, the noise you are hearing is a giant exhaust leak.

Make repairs rapidly, because that leak could cause the #1 cylinder exhaust valve to burn, and it's throwing off the A/F ratio seen by the O2 sensor, causing the PCM to add fuel the engine doesn't need.

Justin11141

So i shouldnt be driving it? Also i forgot to add i dont have catalytic converters does it make a difference ?

Injuneer

If you don't have a cat, you don't need the AIR system. First, with the engine running, verify that there is exhaust coming out of that hole. What you need ASAP is a threaded plug to close off the opening. Some headers use a 22mm oil drain plug, I think others use an 18mm drain plug.

My AS&M headers use a 22mm plug: