Wastegate leak or exhaust?

[shadoof77]

Not sure if I have a wastegate leak. Does a wastegate leak usually sound like an exhuast leak? I jacked up the car took a look at the exhaust but it looks fine, couldn't find any cracks, holes, or nothing. Next guess would be wastegate correct?it's a stock exhaust manifold. Not sure how to tell if it's bad. Any clues? Thanks

 

[wowzers]

Try seafoaming ## car that will show you any leaks/cracks you got while cleaning out your cars engine

 

[shadoof77]

yea ill give it a go but would a bad wastegate make the sound of an exhaust leak?

 

[rlacasse1]

Does you car still have the stock wastegate and everything.

 

[shadoof77]

First post states... Stock exhaust manifold... Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't the stock exhaust manifold have internal wastegates...

 

[Clutch GSX]

Internal wastegates are in the turbo not the exhaust manifold. All leaks around that area will sound the same since all it is is air pushing through a small hole. Start your car on a cold day and look for steam/smoke or get some soapy water and start your car and spray down all the gaps and look for bubbling. Or you could use your hand right when the engine starts before it gets too hot and feel for air rushing out near where the sound is coming from. Be careful, don't burn yourself!

Once you figure out where the leak is you can replace that gasket or bolt or whatever and you should be good to go.

Beware of seafoam. It destroyed my car by removing the carbon build up that was sealing my exhaust leaks. Its also known to kill O2 sensors which arent cheap.

 

[shadoof77]

Internal wastegates are in the turbo not the exhaust manifold. All leaks around that area will sound the same since all it is is air pushing through a small hole. Start your car on a cold day and look for steam/smoke or get some soapy water and start your car and spray down all the gaps and look for bubbling. Or you could use your hand right when the engine starts before it gets too hot and feel for air rushing out near where the sound is coming from. Be careful, don't burn yourself!

Once you figure out where the leak is you can replace that gasket or bolt or whatever and you should be good to go.

Beware of seafoam. It destroyed my car by removing the carbon build up that was sealing my exhaust leaks. Its also known to kill O2 sensors which arent cheap.

thanks for the tip

 

[haswesley]

The wastegate IS part of the turbo. On a stock setup, the wastegate dumps excess exhaust through the 02 housing. Same place your turbo dumps exhaust. In sum, I don't know how you can tell if a wastegate is leaking just by listening. The way to definitely tell is taking the 02 housing off and visually inspecting the wastegate flapper and housing around the flapper. Usually, you can see cracks, etc. around the flapper which would indicate it is leaking.

 

[shadoof77]

The wastegate IS part of the turbo. On a stock setup, the wastegate dumps excess exhaust through the 02 housing. Same place your turbo dumps exhaust. In sum, I don't know how you can tell if a wastegate is leaking just by listening. The way to definitely tell is taking the 02 housing off and visually inspecting the wastegate flapper and housing around the flapper. Usually, you can see cracks, etc. around the flapper which would indicate it is leaking.

well if the wastegate leaks wouldnt it make a sound like a exhaust leak? or would it make no sounds?

 

[rlacasse1]

No it would not make a sound because if it did leak it would just leak right back into the exhuast pipe, which would the muffle the sound. If it is a stock waste gate then I would say it is not the wastegate making the noise you are hearing.

 

[dsmdeliveryboy]

What is the car doing to make you think your wastegate is leaking? Be a little more specific.

 

[shadoof77]

What is the car doing to make you think your wastegate is leaking? Be a little more specific.

well it only happens as i get on the gas. if its at idle, or just cruising, or even a slow throttle where no boost is building you wont hear anything. only when it starts to build boost it starts making the exhaust leak sound

 

[haswesley]

Common place for an exhaust leak is between the manifold and turbo. Just by jacking the car up, you won't be able to tell. As stated above, take the manifold heat shields off, start your car, and feel around before the engine gets hot.

 

[OZ Rally]

Seafoam is a good way to check as mentioned before but beware, some people have had bad luck with it.

 

[shadoof77]

yea i heard using water and soap isn't a good idea because it could crack the manifold so im just going try to feel around for air leaks