Loud leak/sound from around exhaust manifold

[merqury]

Car - 95 Talon Tsi

When the car is at idle, I can hear a loud leak from around the exhaust manifold area. It isnt just a hissing noise; its much much louder, like a grinding. Its not constant, there's pauses in between.

Any ideas on what this could be?

 

[IslandTSI]

Most likely one of the exhaust manifold studs is broken causing a leak. Pull off the heat shield and take a look. If there has been a bad leak for a while it will be pretty obvious. It will look something like this.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[merqury]

Which part of the picture are you talking about? How can I fix it?

 

[IslandTSI]

Well the top left of the exhaust manifold you can see where there should be a bolt and nut there is just a hole. the stud snapped off and is broken flush into the head. You can see all the carbon and junk around where the exhaust gas was leaking out. Basically I was loosing that whole cylinders exhaust gas. Not good.

Like I said pull of off the heat shield and look around. Listen for the leak, check the studs and nuts make sure none are broken or loose.

IF you have the same problem I did you will have to drop the turbo and the manifold. Use an eazy out screw extractor on the broken stud. Then put in a new stud, manifold gasket, torque it all to spec and enjoy.

You wont know what the problem is until you take a look though

 

[merqury]

Ok, I checked and all the studs are there. Also, let me mention again that the noise seems to be coming from around that area, but I cant pinpoint the exact source.

 

[IslandTSI]

Could be the head gasket, could be a bad manifold gasket. Feel around for air escaping. Give the car a little gas and see if the sound gets louder, or if you can feel the leak. It could be anything

 

[merqury]

Actually the noise goes away as I rev the car, then when it drops back to idle, the noise comes back too.

 

[merqury]

OK..I just found a HUGE leak. It's coming from between the exhaust manifold and the turbocharger. I'm guessing that its the gasket. The gap isnt even, its wider on one side.