Sadly, when I had my Cat removed at the ghetto shop in Bell, CA for 50 bucks, they did not seal up the weld where they put the "off road" pipe. This was done 10mo. ago at least.
Last week, I bought a Texas Speed, Rumbler system (not the tru-dual sys.) and had a different shop in Santa Ana, Azteca Mufflers, weld it on. I bought some new Bosch o'2s and had them put in as well.
During the post install check of the system, they felt around for any leaks and noticed a major leak right where the off road pipe was!! I wanted to scream. The car was running like crud for almost a year and it was a stupid exhaust leak!
Needless to say, the car runs like a new beast. The exhaust is louder than sin! It is unreal!

I have a question though. Did I foul all of my spark plugs?? with the rich condition caused by the leaky exhaust?? It used to smell AWFULL.. now.. I can barely smell it when I pull up to a light.... was I smelling overly rich exhaust or just the exhaust leaking from under my feet??

Thought this might help anyone who has experienced similar problems.


--Troy

 

How much HP do people usually lose with very small exhaust leaks?

 

I would check a couple plugs and see if they are carbon fouled. I would also check the oil and see if you have any fuel in the crankcase. This happened to me because of a rich condition (different reason) and I am trying to flush out the oil to get the gas out. I think the extra fuel did a nice job cleaning my crank case and lower end though as it was BLACK as can be after about 500 miles.

 

Thanks for the ideas so far.

If I change my plugs.. what plugs should I use??

--Troy

 

As for plugs I run Auto Lite 104's the wory great for me.

 

Stick with ACDelco, but get their platinum plug. I have had nothing but a good experience with them.

 

Ive heard the AC platinum's "pad" falls off the electrodes. SEaRCH on this one. I'm using autolite 104's

 

I have NGK TR-55 Iridiums in mine and they seem to work great! Runs very smoothly.

 

If you are running a power adder then gt the 104's. If not then keep the stock heat range.

Z

 

Was the Leak right in front of your O2 sensor(s)?

 

I prefer the AC-Delco Rapidfires. If you don't go with a platinum plug make sure you gap it at .035" not the standard .050".

Jay

 

The leak was right after the o2's at the collector/y pipe.
There is an o2 on each header about 10-12inches away from where the leak was.
I can only assume that some funky(non exhaust gas) air was gettin in causing the o2's to read a lean condition and adding fuel...right?

--Troy