so i install my obx header today, and when i turn on my car on it it sound it fine, but when i took it for a test drive, i notice that when i would step on the gas it sound like there was a exhaust leak but i am not sure if it is or not because i dont know that much about cars but i am pretty sure thats what it is, the sound its coming from where you connect the header to the exhaust or mid pipe. so is there suppose to be any space between the exhaust and the header???? or not. and does any one have any pics of what it suppose to look like?? i would really apreatiated if guys can help me out.. thanks
header help!!!!!!! plz
- Thread starter zoom-zoom
- Start date
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- carbon grey 2005 SP23 sedan
check the gasket and also make sure you screwed the spring bolts on tight enough. I'm sure you can find pics of it on here - look in the install headers how-to
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- carbon grey 2005 SP23 sedan
hey natey! (hi)
yeah i got a new gasket from the dealer that one with the car was to mess up so i got a new one for the one that goes between the header and exhaust i guess its called a donut gasket or something like that. the space is not a lot but it seems like thats where its coming from everything else looks fine
crashkelly
Banned
zoom-zoom said:
there should be no space at all...the header, gasket. and midpipe must be air tight
crashkelly
Banned
zoom-zoom said:
I would totally take a pic for you if i didnt just drop my car down from the jack after spending all day installing a short shifter, fixing my turbo oil return line, and fixing my transmission leak. But basically you want to adjust the exhaust and header to the point where you can make the seal between them as tight as possible and make the spring screws connecting them as tight as you can without stripping them.
well, the spring bolts look fully compressed, so the only thing I can think is that the gasket didn't properly seat? maybe undo the bolts, pull the gasket, and reseat it?
barring that, are you sure that the sound is coming from that connection?
barring that, are you sure that the sound is coming from that connection?
crashkelly
Banned
nate0123 said:
yeah that looks even tighter than my exhaust...maybe that gasket isnt seated right or you are leaking from the top of the header
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- 2002 22A P5 and 2007 TR MS3
The spring bolts should not be that tight, they should have some spring in them...They are there to create flexibilty in the exhaust system to diminish effects from the engine movement on the exhaust. By tightening it that much you may have destroyed the lead "O" ring gasket at that connection..if it was there in the first place...
Open in back up, make sure you've got the lead ring intact, then tighten it back down until it starts to push into the lead..Then start it and see if it leaks...Tighten a bit and repeat...should make a seal.....
Step #2 Call Mazda dealership and get new gasket...(smash)
**EDIT***Guess you already did step #2
#3 use a 1/3 can of SEAFOAM in the intake manifold...The large amount of smoke coming from the exhaust may help you find the leak..
#4 Get a tube of copper gasket crap and lube it up realllly thick....GOOK LUCK(thumb)
Open in back up, make sure you've got the lead ring intact, then tighten it back down until it starts to push into the lead..Then start it and see if it leaks...Tighten a bit and repeat...should make a seal.....
Step #2 Call Mazda dealership and get new gasket...(smash)
**EDIT***Guess you already did step #2
#3 use a 1/3 can of SEAFOAM in the intake manifold...The large amount of smoke coming from the exhaust may help you find the leak..
#4 Get a tube of copper gasket crap and lube it up realllly thick....GOOK LUCK(thumb)
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I know some people can have problems with leaks where the header bots on to the block. I have seen that if the flange is not perfectly flat, there is a chance for an exhaust leak. I would also ask if you used a new gasket there as well, as the old one might be causing the problems.
Magus
Magus
A couple of more misc pics I found. I used a razor to carefully get the old gasket off and was able to reuse it no problem. A new one is the best way to go though +1. The good news its gotta be a simple fix. Just check everything. Unless you feel exhaust (don't burn yourself) coming out of that connection don't rule out the other stuff yet. What did you use for your second O2 sensor? Could it be leaking? It the header up against anything that would cause it not to seal? Did you use a new gasket?
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I know from installing a few headers that the EGR nut is a b**** to get on properly. The threads on most headers aren't cut that great, the alignment sucks, and the nut can be in rough shape as well.
Make sure it's on there really good. If it's not, you'll see soot on the EGR tube right at the nut where it's leaking. Tighten it up some more, wipe the soot off with your finger, run around the block, and check again.
Make sure it's on there really good. If it's not, you'll see soot on the EGR tube right at the nut where it's leaking. Tighten it up some more, wipe the soot off with your finger, run around the block, and check again.
so i guess what i thought was a exhaust leak, was the normal sound that the obx header make, i went to a sls peformance and the guy check it out and he said that everything was fine and that little sound that i thought was a exhaust leak was not one it was a normal sound. anyways i look at the springs bolts and they seem pretty tight. and i also see that my msp axleback exhaust shakes more now. is that normal???
