Detecting exchaust/maniold leaks

[Blak_Mamber]

I can see a small, thin hairline crack toward the top of my decat about an inch long but doesn't look like it would let any gasses out... also I can see in the middle of my wepr mild steel manifold what looks like a crack between the welds, but its hard to tell if its actually gone all the way through or its just a surface crack as its got a lot of surface rust.

How can I tell whether its actually got a leak or not?

I am trying to narrow down what is causing the burning oil smell in my car.

Cheers,
Lewis

 

[H_D]

if it was blowing you would be able to feel it if you hover your hand over it whilst its ticking over. it usually makes a ticking noise too.

 

[dac69er]

go to the toilet, get a sheet of toilet paper and hold it near the crack if it flutters the paper you have a leak. make sure you do this on a still day, not very easy to do on a windy day!

 

[Blak_Mamber]

lol cheers guys, i'll check it out, the paper seems a good idea as I couldn't really feel anything with just my hand over it. Will report back

 

[dac69er]

lol cheers guys, i'll check it out, the paper seems a good idea as I couldn't really feel anything with just my hand over it. Will report back

its an old skool mechanics technique. before all these new fangled computers came along

 

[SalmanGT]

Its not Leaking, any thing leaking Exhaust gases will have black powder on that spot.

 

[dac69er]

Not up near the manifold it wont if its a small or fairly new leak

 

[Paul_JJ]

I can see a small, thin hairline crack toward the top of my decat about an inch long but doesn't look like it would let any gasses out... also I can see in the middle of my wepr mild steel manifold what looks like a crack between the welds, but its hard to tell if its actually gone all the way through or its just a surface crack as its got a lot of surface rust.

How can I tell whether its actually got a leak or not?

I am trying to narrow down what is causing the burning oil smell in my car.

Cheers,
Lewis

Well it's pretty simple actually -

1) take pics put them on the forum -)
2) Listen to the ticking noise
3) MPG will drop a bit
4) Power will drop - especially the punch when on the full boost