 Exhaust Leak or Stuck Valve? What do you think?
Over the weekend, I put my car up on stands with the intention of removing the y-pipe for welding.... However, me being the lazy ******* I am, I was bound and determined to find the leak before delving into the world of rusty studs and long nights. After listening to a few shop guys, I decided to block up the tailpipe, causing back pressure to "smoke" out the crack. Unfortunately, the first and second time I blocked it with success, the sound disappeared before I could localize it. So, leaving it to cool, I re-attempted again later.
The third time, I really blocked her up tight, and started the car... but no sound was heard! There is no evidence of leaks or cracks where the TSB's indicate on the passenger side, nor around the emissions pipe, EGR valve or between the manifold and the block. I did however, hear an odd tapping in the valve train.
The car has never run so quiet! Even on a dead-cold start when going to work on Monday did not render any "normal" sound of exhaust leakage. My big test was cruise control on the highway. Ever since it's gotten bad, I've lost power to the point where cruise control can't maintain a 3mph range on the highway up hills, which it could maintain when I first got the car. Today, I maintained speed like a champ, with weight in the trunk!
So, the theory I'm working with now, is that my passenger side rear cylinder's exhaust valve was stuck, and pressurizing the manifold side helped it free it's self. I even put it to my co-worker (who is an ASE mechanic too) who owns an earlier 3.8L drop top. He says thats actually what fried his first set of heads, a stuck exhaust valve that heated up so much that it cracked the head.
Any one else experience this problem? I can't find a TSB on it, but there is plenty of indication that the passenger side rear of the 3.8L is a problem area. What's you're opinion?!?
__________________ 2001 3.8L manual stocker... but not for long! | 
