[TK421DS]

I am pretty sure the problem/leakis at my Hpipe to headers connection that has a gap and are leaking exhaust, but I am worried it may be my Head gaskets too?

What are the symptoms of a head Gasket leak???

Should I hear loud ticking during idle, accelleration and decelleration?
Should i hear it at idle too?
I am thinking my Exhaust leak is big enough at the header/Xpipe that I am hearing some "ticking" due to the location and "openness" of the leak? Does this happen?
During normal driving (crusing) It sounds "normal".
TK

[BlueStreak03]

A head gasket leak can cause you to find water in your oil when you change it. Also you'll either over heat or lose oil pressure. It really depends on where the leak is exactly. Also, you may be able to tell if there's a leak in a head gasket by checking for discoloration where the head and block meet. Try spraying off the engine real good with some degreaser to make sure everything is clean and check it a couple days later. From the description you gave it really sounds like nothing more than an exhaust leak. The only way I could keep my '03 from getting one every couple weeks was to double nut the nuts on on the joint between the headers and h-pipe. The ones on the passenger side are kinda hard to get to if you've never done it before or seen someone with some experience do it. A 3/8 drive impact wrench really comes in handy with a universal flex, a 4 inch extension and a 6 inch extension. And make sure the sockets you use are the deepest well ones you can get your hands on.

[TK421DS]

Originally Posted by BlueStreak03

A head gasket leak can cause you to find water in your oil when you change it. Also you'll either over heat or lose oil pressure. It really depends on where the leak is exactly. Also, you may be able to tell if there's a leak in a head gasket by checking for discoloration where the head and block meet. Try spraying off the engine real good with some degreaser to make sure everything is clean and check it a couple days later. From the description you gave it really sounds like nothing more than an exhaust leak. The only way I could keep my '03 from getting one every couple weeks was to double nut the nuts on on the joint between the headers and h-pipe. The ones on the passenger side are kinda hard to get to if you've never done it before or seen someone with some experience do it. A 3/8 drive impact wrench really comes in handy with a universal flex, a 4 inch extension and a 6 inch extension. And make sure the sockets you use are the deepest well ones you can get your hands on.

thANK YOU!!
It's definatly not my head gasket...I have cleaned the block a few times (oil leak in head cover gasket ..minor leak) and saw no discoleration at all. Phew!!!!
Ok here's the deal with my pipes..........
The passenger side seems to be butted up real tight to that header, but the drivers side is gapped about .5"-1" between the header flange and the X-pipe end.......the bolts are showing thread of about 2 inches between the nut and Head of the bold......not butted against the header or pipe..........

Next question.......can I just go up in there and tighten those 2 bolts on the drivers side with no ill effects on the Header??
I was worried I needed to take the whole X-pipe off and re align it or something, but the passenger side seems to be fine.
TEll me what I gotta do here...Thanks Blue!!!
TK

[BlueStreak03]

I had a similar problem with my '03 and the ProChamber. I had to go through and loosen all the bolts on the midpipe and start retightening them all once I got it all aligned properly. The best order I found to do this in was start with the passenger side downtube then over to the drivers side. Once I got them sinched up fairly tight, I went back in with a 3/8 impact wrench and tightened them down again in the same order. Once I did that I ran another nut up on each stud and tightened it up pretty snug. Then I tightened the rear bolts up with the impact wrench, then for good measure I torqued down the forward bolts with a 1/2 ratchet. It wouldn't hurt to go back and recheck the bolts after a tank of gas or so just to make sure nothing has worked loose. Oh yeah and be sure you use some kind of anti seize lubricant on the threads or the next time you have to change out something on the exhaust you're gonna be using a dremel tool and grinding wheel.

[TK421DS]

Blue, do you know the size of these bolts? THe bolt and the nut?
is the bolt 3/8" and the nut 1/2"?
I wanna go to Home depot and get some new ones incase they are stripped or something. Not the dealer ship.

[BlueStreak03]

I can't remember if they are SAE or Metric. I wanna say they're metric, but it's been a while since I was under there doing exhaust work.