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hotjag1's avatar
hotjag1
Explorer II
May 01, 2015

Exhaust leak. What are the possibilities?

I can hear what I think is an exhaust leak when I drive beside concrete barriers, guard rails, etc. It's kind of a loud ticking sound.

The muffler and the pipe between the turbo and muffler seem to be pretty solid and I don't see any movement. The muffler is kind of rusty at the clamp joint and may even have a crack or small hole that I cannot see. If that is the case, I think it would be an easy fix.

On the other hand, what is the likelihood of a cracked exhaust manifold or manifold gasket being bad? I can't determine exactly where this exhaust noise is coming from.
  • I've got a dime that says you have an exhaust manifold problem of some sort.

    Does the noise change change as the engine warms up?

    Have you stood next to the engine when it's first started and listened for strange noises on start up?
  • Cracked exhaust manifold or a rotted out elbow after the down pipe.