Ever since I bought my tl a year ago i noticed that while the engine is reaching operating temperature it seems there is a small exhaust leak. Once it reaches normal operating temperature I hear no noise. It sound like a very small leak but it is very noticeable especially when its in my garage. I am assuming it is a hairline crack somewhere but i have no idea where. However, I am sure it is on one of the manifolds since everything back has been replaced and it seems like the sound is coming from very close to the engine. I would ideally like to find the crack and put some jb weld over it to stop the sound. But I have looked multiple times and i cannot seem to find it. If anyone has had the same problem or know any tricks that would be great. How hard is it to remove the manifolds... has anyone had them off?

 

like puttering sound?

 

Same problem here...small puttering sound and can also hear it a little bit around 2k under light throttle. Acura has replaced the manifold gasket twice...I then replaced it with a p2 one myself...I've had an exhaust shop weld a tiny pin hole twice...still hear it and it's driving me nuts. Sounds like it's coming from the back manifold/cat area but have no way of seeing it. Let me know your findings...

 

Yeah its a puttering sound, also could be described as kind of tinny too. I initially replaced the j pipe because it had rubbed the ground and frayed a little but that didn't take care of the sound. I am assuming whenever that j pipe rubbed it developed a small stress crack in one of the manifolds. The hardest part about to trying to find it is you can't locate it by sound since it goes away after about five minutes of idling or a minute or two of driving. The sound is very noticeable from the front of the vehicle but if you stand by the rear you can't hear it. You also can't hear it as noticeably with the hood open. Which leads me to believe it must be very near the ground. I will go on a hunting mission this weekend.

 

^when you replaced the jpipe did you use the gaskets? recheck the bolts on the jpipe connecting to the pre-cats

 

that is a very good question if there were gaskets already on there i prly re used them. I will check the bolts also

 

^even tho they are metal gaskets, sometimes it can squish and let air through.

 

If the flanges are not perfectly parallel it will leak even with the gaskets. They sell goop to help in that case.

 

have the gaskets checked.