Suspected leak header, how to confirm it?

[Bad_dude]

The car is a 99 Corolla VE.

Topic

[Trcustoms719]

You could have a clogged cat like Eric said.
I would do a back pressure test to see if it’s building up to much pressure.

[dreamer2355]

+1 with Eric’s and Trcustom’s post.

You can also use a vacuum gauge also to check for a clogged catalytic converter.

[college man]

A+ on holding the rag over the tail pipe.to add to the diagnostic indicator. spray some sea foam down the intake to get the car to smoke
some what. then the rag over the tail pipe. if the smoke comes out places it shouldn’t theres your leak.also good for finding exhaust
leaks.warning do this outside only. good luck and keep us posted. C8-)

[Bad_dude]

Quoted From dreamer2355:

+1 with Eric’s and Trcustom’s post.

You can also use a vacuum gauge also to check for a clogged catalytic converter.

How do you do this?
My Accord threw a CEL today for Code 43. Looks like I’ll be changing out O2 Sensor tomorrow too.
Thanks.

[Matt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNCmEyex … ature=plcp

This is a video by TexasCoder (cool guy) where he demonstrates an awesome method for finding exhaust leaks.

[619DioFan]

If you are looking for a leak around the exhaust manifold a spray bottle with soapy water should help you find it ( just the spray the suspected areas and check for bubbles ) a good visual inspection of the exhaust piping checking for holes/cracks as well as looking for holes in the muffler. also check for any leaks were two components come together ( ie: where a gasket might be ) cheap fix- if you find a hole you can use exhaust repair tape. wrap it on and the heat causes it to adhere. I have used it before ( with mixed results )

[EricTheCarGuy]

Once again the hose will not cause the P0420 to set. It is possible however that the catalytic converter is clogged causing poor gas mileage and a lack of performance as well as the ‘noise’ you describe, you might consider either removing the front O2 sensor or dropping the exhaust before the catalytic converter and taking it for a drive, if you notice a significant improvement in performance it’s possible the catalytic converter is clogged and needs to be replaced.

That said the best way I know to check for exhaust leaks is to hold a rag over the tail pipe while the engine is running and listen for leaks in the exhaust system, this works best with 2 people, one to block the exhaust and the other to listen for leaks.

[Bad_dude]

Quoted From Beefy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNCmEyex … ature=plcp

This is a video by TexasCoder (cool guy) where he demonstrates an awesome method for finding exhaust leaks.

Hey,
That’s a good video. When I do the soapy water, what percent of soap and any kind of soap is ok? Dish liquid or detergent?

Thanks.

[dreamer2355]

Any soap should be fine.

Learning how to use a vacuum gauge in very beneficial in automotive diagnostics.

You have to realize that all an engine is an air pump. So, if the engine can not breathe, there will be low to zero vacuum.

Here is a video to exhaust pressure testing by ScannerDanner –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lafv2c4s … 3e_oqKNGMX

[EricTheCarGuy]

I would hold off on replacing the O2 till you find out if you have a clogged cat or other exhaust issue first as either one of those could be the root cause of the code.

[Bad_dude]

It’s been a month or more now that the code hasn’t came back. The axle leak also stopped. I guess that first reman was a bad axle that could have cause the leak to begin with. My wife has been going shopping and visiting friends a bit so I haven’t had the car to try any thing else other than replacing the door inside handle.
But I’ll keep us update. Most like gasket leaks. The car is due for a coolant flush soon.

[Author]

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