Installed my headers... very large pain in the ****. So...I get the car put back together and I am getting a leak on the passenger side. UGH!! I dunno what the leak is from, maybe the gasket got pinched or something.

Lets say I really don't want to take the car apart again, but I will have no choice...


Problem is this: I'm getting an SES light. Can this be cause solely by manifold leak? I'm wondering if it is linked to pre-cat O2 sensors. I changed out the O2 sensors post-cat while putting it back together.

Would love to have a Tech shed some insight...

 

What kind of headers did you install. Did you torque them in the proper sequence? Like this

(Header nuts)1 being the top middle nut, 2 being bottom middle and so on...
613
425

 

Yes, i torque them in the proper sequence. I also wen't back through to retorque them in the same sequence afterward, to make sure they were all tight.

 

So can you hear this leak or are you assuming its a leak just because of the SES light?

 

Honestly the best way ive been able to find leaks would be to disconnect a vacuum hose and stick the hose into a bottle (like a straw in a coke bottle) of marvel mystery oil or sea foam. You will almost always see the smoke coming out of the leak.

 

wow,heard headers were a pain,should have gotten it done..GL..post a diy if you get time

 

Headers are a HUGE pain. I wanted to do it myself.

I had a tech tell me to spray it with water.

Can header leaks cause a CEL??

 

BTW, I can hear the leak

 

Yes, a header leak can cause an SES.

Which gaskets did you use. OEM is the ONLY way to go. It is quite possible that the header flange was slightly warped from welding. There's a reason why OEM uses heavy high stainless steel for exhaust manifolds. You should always check the trueness of a header flange prior to install.

 

I think it was the gasket. I didnt use the OEM, i used the gasket that came with it. Its possible that it pinched or something... Not sure.

 

You should check WHICH CEL code is tripped. It's probably an 02 sensor code

 

Dont spray it with water, it can cause the header to crack due to the shock of colder water. Do what i mentioned above!

 

The leak was caused by a manifold stud not all the way in. I got it tight now.

 

Nice