Guys,

I've got a very slight exhaust leak on the Front Bank of the engine(I think thats technically the Left bank, but Front is more intuitive). Is this a random occurence affecting me only, or a common problem?? Hopefully it is an easy fix, but I thought I'd check with the experts on this forum first.

 

Is it leaking between the heads and manifold or manifold and y-pipe?

Mine leaks in neither place, and I don't think its a common occurrence, based on what I've seen here.

 

I got rusted flex section of y-pipe...Can't take it off myself to replace, too rusted..

 

Get a shop to torch it off or try an impact gun... if you break any bolts it'll be a PITA to deal with after.

 

Its not the flex pipe, nor the Y.

DANG, I was hopin it was a common problem with an easy fix. I didn't know it was leaking cuz you can't even hear it from the inside, so I dont' know if its been like that since I got it or if I hit something.

As a maxima newbie, I want to say thanks for not being A-holes like some of the guys on my old MX-6 Forum.

 

So its leaking from the manifolds somewhere? What other info can ya give? Does the car feel any different? How do ya know its leaking?

You're welcome, but you'll see that it depends on what ya ask and how ya ask it...

 

How bad does leaky exhaust affect performance? Bad or just little?

 

I can't hear it when I'm in the car, but I can from the outside. I need to Look into it a little more. I mis-read your previous post, so It might be between the Manifold and the Y. If its between the Manifold/Head, I might as well get some headers, though I wasn't planning on them.

As far as performance, yes, I believe it could effect it. If there is a leak in the system, it means it is diverting some of the exhaust gas from the main flow to an alternate exit (the leak). The diversion of the gases in this different direction interferes with the main flow and the velocity of the main flow(differences in pressure, turbulance, deceleration due to change of direction, and all that good stuff). It may be a very minimal effect, if any at all, but it is possible. Depends on your leak and where it is. Thats all I got. I went into Industrial Engineering, not Fluid Mechanics, so I only have a general understanding.

PS....Puppet Master, I'm a Purdue Grad and apparently you are a Michigan guy. I can't believe we don't play you guys this year.

 

I'm curious about the integrity of the stock exhaust systems on the 5th gens as well. I was just under my '02 with 41k miles on it. The muffler rusted out at the weld on the flange where it connects to the rear exhaust tube assembly. I initially heard a leak as well, then I hit a bump one morning and knew it broke off. Then this morning I noticed the hanger on the mid-pipe rusted off as well. My '97 lasted 7 years (all in the northeast) and was still intact when I traded up!

I thought I only needed to replace the muffler, but I also may need to replace the rear assembly as well. It doesn't appear that hanger can be welded back on. I'm also curious if any of the tubing, particularly on the rear assembly where the tube comes out to go to the muffler, if there are supposed to be flat spots, or if the tube is supposed to be rounded its entire length? It may have been banging on the bracket that it hangs above and flattened it. I'm not sure though.

I'd be curious if other 5th geners are seeing similar issues with the stock exhaust.

 

If you still have warranty, go to the dealer to get that fixed.

 

Already checked on that. The extended warrenty does not cover exhaust, and I'm beyound the 3/36k.