Water is leaking from around one of the clamps that is holding the xpipe in place when i start the vehicle. Should i be concerned?
And it sounds like i am hearing a bit of a crackling sound from there as well. Not sure if it's from there but it sounds like it. Could it be the pipe was not de-burred properly? Please advice.

 

The water leak is just condensation in the exhaust which is normal, the leaking of water from the Xpipe is not. If water leaks from the Xpipe then exhaust gases can as well which is a potential hazard. I would try and get this fixed. The crackling sound will most likely disappear when you properly tighten the exhaust.

 

Thanks for the heads up. I also noticed when they hooked it up to my catback exhaust they didn't make sure the pipes were properly matched up with each other. I have one that sticks out a little further than the other. My impression after leaving there was not very good. Not professional at all.

The gentleman told me the X-pipe would not do "****". I said, hey ford put in on the GT500 and the Hertz version and said it was worth 5-6 horses. He mocked and said, Ford will make up anything to sell a part. Then went on about how much work it would be for him to install the pipe and just moaned and groaned. I regret giving him the okay to work on my car and expect to hear more moaning from him when i call him tomorrow morning.

I am just scared they screwed up the pipe or worse yet my borla catback exhaust.

 

I agree, and it sounds like you went to a crappy muffler shop. That is why I do my own work, to make sure it is done right, and not get torn up by some bubba. Sorry to hear of your troubles, and I hope they at least make it right for you.

 

Check out Gary's X-Pipe install (it's on my How-To list) here.

See how his installation compares to what yours looks like and make the necessary corrections yourself if you can.

Cracking/popping sounds can mean a loose clamp. Hopefully not a 'short' cut pipe!

 

I did mine myself (see Bills link above) and I haven't had any issues such as leaks that I have seen but I will watch closely now just to make sure. I will however have it welded into place when the opportune time presents itself since I won't be changing it anytime soon or unless I put in a whole new system from the headers back in place. It doesn't need to be welded but I have never been a huge fan of adding more clamps and if the car is up on a lift for something else I'll have it done.

 

I agree, condensation in the exhaust from being so hot and then cooling down. There is supposed to be holes in the bottom of the cats and mufflers to drain water (little drain holes) so they dont rust out so fast.

 

If you went to a muffler shop, it made no sense at all for them to use clamps on the forward section- it should have been welded at the front, and only clamped at the rear- get rid of the front clamps if you are paying a shop to install it for you! It will look better, last longer, and be trouble free. I can't believe they did not weld the front pipes!

 

It was the clamps at the back that connects to the exhaust pipe that goes to the muffler. Yeah i am willing to bet it's not one, but TWO lost clamps as i see water from both after startup. I would have done the job had i not lacked the tools. I just got a house and haven't had a chance to buy tools for the car. Been buying tools for house and yard.

This wasn't a muffler shop it was a shop that specializes on Mustangs, lol. The irony of expecting top notch work from a shop that works on Ford, only to walk out with a second rate job by a less than professional mechanic. I live in the Houston area.

I'll post back to let you everyone know as a buyer beware if they refuse to "do the job right" or if they give lip. I hate to see anyone else wind up with my experience.

 

Hmmm, sounds like this is starting to make sense now that maybe both the mid section clamps may be loose considering you mentioned the mufflers were not aligned with each other. That took me some time to do myself. It didn't take long when I installed the X but I did end up under the car a few times later that week to re-align them again due to me not having them tight enough, I mean they were tight but still needed more LOL.

 

I borrowed the sawzall from work and installed mine myself this past weekend. It took about 35 minutes. The instructions stated the clamps should be tq to 40lbs. Good luck

 

Thanks Glenn! I'll make sure i mention to them. Also thanks guys for the feedback!