Exhaust Leak???

Ok, late last year I cracked my stock header, and my engine was knocking like crazy. I replaced my header, and the knock went away. My engine is once again knocking, just like it was from the cracked header, but I can't find an exhaust leak anywhere. I removed and re-sealed my header, double checked my header to be sure there were no leaks there, and ran all new exhaust piping. any other suggestions? This knock is driving me crazy, and I am afraid to drive my car cause I don't want to turn a little problem into a really big problem.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

Ok, late last year I cracked my stock header, and my engine was knocking like crazy. I replaced my header, and the knock went away. My engine is once again knocking, just like it was from the cracked header, but I can't find an exhaust leak anywhere. I removed and re-sealed my header, double checked my header to be sure there were no leaks there, and ran all new exhaust piping. any other suggestions? This knock is driving me crazy, and I am afraid to drive my car cause I don't want to turn a little problem into a really big problem.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

a knock in your engine can come from alot more than your header... i didnt actually think it would come from the header but i guess it could... how many miles are on your car? and did you ever change your timing belt...? thats probably the most common thing that happens... then the head goes bad

A 'knock' can be a lot of different sounds... can you be more speciffic? Where does it sound like it's coming from? Have you considered taking it to a professional?

I know for sure the knock is coming from under the hood, sounds like the front part of the engine, when the hood is open. I have 150K miles on my car, and haven't replaced my timing belt since 74K. I hadn't thought about that, though I will change it now.

Would love to take it to a professional to see what they say, but haven't found anybody around me that I trust. Anybody know a good mechanic in South Orange County, CA?

Also, not sure if any of this makes a difference, but here goes....

They only mod I have on my car is that I pulled my resenator off, and welded on a cherry bomb, pulled out my muffler and threw a straight tip on the end in place. Other than that she is sitting stock. I have always run a 20w50 oil in her since I got her, and use nothing but premium gas. Oil changes every 2,500 miles religiously. Check all fluids once a week. Did have her run without oil once about 4 months ago for 2 miles (lost my oil plug for some strange reason).

Thanks for the replies. I will try the timing belt and see what happens from there.

I will also try to get audio up in the next day or so.

"Did have her run without oil once about 4 months ago for 2 miles (lost my oil plug for some strange reason). "

Bingo!

"Did have her run without oil once about 4 months ago for 2 miles (lost my oil plug for some strange reason). "

Bingo!

:werd: That'll do it right there. Start saving for a new engine.

That's kinda what I figured, but didn't want to hear. Think the timing belt would still be worth a shot? or a waste of time at this point?

That's kinda what I figured, but didn't want to hear. Think the timing belt would still be worth a shot? or a waste of time at this point?

Waste of time.

Know anywhere I can get a decent engine for not too much?

call your local salvage yard, or google it... ask around town about a good mechanic, cause they usually have engine sources they can get you one from.... for a stock motor, don't pay anymore than 300-500, depending on the milage of the engine you get. plus add another 600-800 for installation.