Been looking on the forum for this under many search headings: Exhaust Leak Manifold Gasket Sputter etc...

Not to take up to much space here here is my delima. Had an exhaust leak a couple months go, but this one I knew what it was. The Pro-Chamber gasket coming from the passenger side of the engine. Took it to the shop, had a new one put on and problem fixed....on that side. Obviously before leaving I sat there reving it up since you can hear it when the engine is quieting down.

I hear the same type noise, like paper flapping in the wind, coming from my side(driver side) This is much more pronounced then the Pro-Chamber gasket. Had them come out and listen to it and definitetly coming from the engine, driver side upon reving (there when reving up but drowned out from magnaflows) but easily heard upon quieting down. Sounds just like an exhaust leak and they suggest it could be the manifold gasket or maybe a cracked piston.

Car still runs fine, idles fine, accelerate fine, no over heating or wanting to die just have this sputter noise. I hope it is the manifold gasket since it sounds like a pretty enexpensive repair (a few hundred i hope since the gasket itself is only like $30)

I read while looking on another forum through google that you might want to replace the manifold gasket after about 50k miles. Not sure if that is true or not. Thanks in advance and sig covers my current mods and year of car.

Jason

 

Are they putting a gasket between the pro-chamber and the exhaust manifold? If not, you should be. Ford makes a great one and you can get it at the dealerships for like 4-5 bucks.

 

According to them that there doesnt need to be one on the driver side and is still stock. I have had the Pro-Chamber on my car now for a good 3 years plus and have never replaced anything on driver side but replace the gasket on the passenger side at least 3 times since they go bad over time. I did ask them about that and seemed very sturdy that should not be the factor.

 

Hmm.. I Know the gasket on the passenger side has to be replaced and I highly recommend the ford one (as it has a metal ring in it unlike the all paper ones you get from most exhaust places). Im not sure if you need one on the drivers side as well, but it almost sounds like it.

You shouldnt have to replace the exhaust manifold after 50k miles.

 

Yeah, the passenger side pro-chamber gasket is the ford one as they recommend that to. And they say you should never have to replace anything on the driver side as far as the exhaust gasket like you do on the passenger side.

As far the manifold comment. Not replace the manifold itself, but the manifold gasket, which was one idea they had that could be the sound and/or leak. It doesnt sound like a serious noise so i wouldnt expect it to be anything like a crack piston or head or cracks or anything internally, but i dont know much about that anyhow. Just a simple sputter noise that just makes the car sound sick when reving....I cant rev on ricers cause they will hear it and be like "lolmustang" or something.

 

Yeah I meant the exhaust manifold gasket. You shouldnt have to replace that either unless you've had something serious happen or had it off before.

Just a question, but have you checked or changed your spark plugs lately?

 

Well unless someting serious happened, I have no idea and just gonna take some money here and there to get it fixed.

As for the spark plugs. I changed those when I did my last set of mods when i put in high performance oil, transmission and differential fluid. Spark plugs were done at the same time which i want to say 12 months ago...give or take 3. Cant remember exactly. Should I check the spark plugs? Could be due to one of them not firing? Would the car still start normally or act as having a hard time? So many question I know. I will call the performance shop later on today to pick at their ear some more to. Thanks

 

Check the plugs to make sure one is not backing out. I had a 00gt that ended up popping one of the plugs out since it had backed out a few threads. Prior to that it sounded like an exhaust leak that we never could find till it was to late. Just double check and make sure they are good and tight.

I know quite a few other cars across the net and personally that htis happened on as well. Ford's aluminum heads and only used 3 threads on the spark plug hole.

 

I ill give it a shot. I hope that is what it could be since that is a super simple fix. If it isnt that, I hope "something" happened to the manifold gasket since that isnt to bad to fix either. I just dont want it to be anything internally cause if it is, I will just have to live with it cause that will get $$$. I couldnt imagine it could be someting wrong with the mid pipe or headers.

I will check the plugs and see if anything is out of place or lose or worn. Will let you know. Thanks again.