bill_talbot

A "air" noise inside the cabin when the engine my TL Premium sound like it had a straight pipe exhaust versus the standard exhaust that is has. This problem has been a mystery for me since obtaining my 2002 TL a year ago (3rd owner).

This week while changing out my rear engine mount, I dropped the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold to simplify the process and decided to replace the gaskets on the exhaust manifold while it was within reach. WOW, did it make a difference; well worth the extra $33 in steel gaskets from Autozone (don't go with the $13 cheap gaskets - they are not worth it).


I HIGHLY recommended this repair for those that believe they are hearing the extra "ROAR" from the TL motor. The procedure isn't bad at all (other than removing the exhaust pipe). I drove all day today accomplishing "Honey Do" items with the engine heat being normal (it was OK before, but not as low as one would expect), the cabin temperature not getting too hot (explained below), and having a quiet cabin that one expects from a TL Premium.

Thanks to everyone here for helping me build the confidence to resolve the problem on my TL. I couldn't have done it without everyone's help here.

The cabin heat issue also resolved -
This repair also resolved the heat issue I was having in the cabin. I thought my in-car temp sensor was bad; however, I found the leak was in the rear exhaust manifold gasket with the exhaust heat staying under the hood was radiating through the cabin firewall rather than out the exhaust pipe. As of today this issue has gone away.

01tl4tl

wow Bill
Glad you didnt suffer carbon monoxide poisening from leaking exhaust into cabin!!

reminder to all- if replacing exh gaskets= retorque the exhaust bolts after 500 miles--they will loosen slightly and start a problem on your new part

totaledTL

How was the auto temp working before you repaired the leak? I assume it was not working as you believed it should if you thought the cabin temp sensor was bad. Sometimes I think mine isn't working like it should- have to move the temp knob all the way dn. to get air temp to change.

01tl4tl

ck your air control door motor..been several of those fail recently

bill_talbot

...sorry for my delay as life has kept me hopping over the past week.

I didn't think about the Carbon Monoxide, but you are correct that I am quite lucky in that department. I will definitely re-tighten the bolts again with the next few days to ensure that the problem doesn't return any time soon.

Your temp issue could be more door/door motor related than the exhaust. Unless you really hear the exhaust I would defer it to be an inside issue or possibly your cable to the valve (in the engine compartment) near the firewall needs lubricated.

I hope you get your heat issue fixed.