I was told there is a doughnut tyoe gasket where the Y pipe connects to the manifold. When this goes bad, what kind of sound would you hear? Someone told me you would hear a rattle/clunk. The bolts are tight but I am hearing a rattle/clunk in that area. I only hear it when it's warmed up.

 

stock manifolds or headers, i have headers and my gasket
is bad right now i can tell by looking at it ull see a little or maby
big black spot or coloring might be harder to see on stock pipes, thats how i can tell on mine , good luck oh and u can hear it to,

 

I don't believe there is a gasket there. Should be a ball type arrangement where no gasket is needed (if single cat-which I think your 1994 will be).

If it was loose enough to rattle, you would surely hear a bad exhaust leak.

 

I do hear it. Not only the rattle, but puffing sound coming from there is driving me nuts. Car runs rich and like snot. I think I have some related issues. I want to replace the doughnut in there but I'm worried about braking the bolts. They have been in there for 9 years. You think it's better to take it to meineke?

 

The only good thing about taking it somewhere is that if they break it, they will have to fix it. That said, I still don't trust anyone but me to work on my car. A can of PB Blaster and a little care may allow you to get the nut moving without breaking a stud. Anytime you mess with those things, there is a chance one is going to snap. I can usually tell if it is going to come loose or not without breaking.

 

Thanks for your reply shoebox. Maybe I'll give it a whirl. If it looks like it's going to be a PITA I'll have them do it.

 

Shoebox, I called three dealers looking for the ball arrangement. No one can find it. Service department admits that there is a ball device in where the y-pipe connects to the manifold, but they can not find the part number for it. Any suggestions? They called it a doughnut.

 

There is nothin to replace. the manifold outlet has the ball end and the pipe is flared. Tightening the pipe to the manifold seals it up without gaskets or donuts. This is the way I remember it being on my car.

 

So I guess a problem with that seal means I have to replace the whole Y-pipe?

 

Depends on what is wrong. Maybe it is just loose. Could be a crack in the flare or who knows. You're gonna have to check it out.

 

Yea. Maybe I'll try pulling it down tomorrow. Thanks for your help.