exhaust leak

Any ideas for things that the home mechanic can do to check for leaks in the exhaust?

I've heard about blowing smoke into the tailpipe with vehicle shut off. Smoke would seep out any leaks - sounds a little sketchy though ...

Well this may sound dumb too but with a motorcycle you can hold your hand over the muffler where the exhaust gas exits and if there is a leak it will not stall cause the gas is escaping somewhere. I doubt this will work with our engines producing the power they do, but hell, anything is worth a shot right? Good luck buddy

Small exhaust leaks actually sound like rapid "tick-tick-ticks" through the firewall, through the floorboards or from the rear of the truck. A good place to hear them is rolling up the ramp of an indoor parking garage. Isolating them may be a problem. You can get best results by running the truck in gear and giving her a little gas with your foot on the brake. Have an assistant listen for ticks or hisses from just behind the front wheels to about where the rear wheels of the truck are. All major joints in the exhaust system lay between those points. If your headers, collectors or any other part of the truck is leaking, you will see what looks like darkened soot spots around the holes or against the underbody of the truck. I had one in the 3-bolt plate between the downpipe from the catalyst and the inlet for the muffler. Swapping in a new metallic gasket sealed her up good and tight. Happy hunting!

Get under your truck and start holding your hand around all the exhaust pipe work and feel for the puff of exhaust coming out.

Also listen while under there to locate it faster.

will try all this. Thanks guys!


Get under your truck and start holding your hand around all the exhaust pipe work and feel for the puff of exhaust coming out.

Also listen while under there to locate it faster.