exhaust leak - Diesel Forum

djserd · 05-26-2007, 02:17 AM

'94 F250 xlt 7.3L IDI turbo. I have an exhaust leak that I am not looking foward to fixing. It is the signature "tick" as I have dealt with on gas engines. But how do you tell where it is coming from over the sound of the diesel at idle, when it is only pronounced under load. This is my first diesel. Could it be coming from somewhere else, and is this as big of a pain as it looks?

cdnsarguy · 05-26-2007, 06:00 AM

Welcome to TDS...... check for black soot deposits with the engine off.

djserd · 05-26-2007, 12:29 PM

I wouldn't be able to see any soot as I'll have to do the valve cover gaskets first, the left side is leaking a little oil. But I'll have a look in-case it is the right side

djserd · 05-27-2007, 01:17 PM

I think I'm just going to change both manifold gaskets, any suggestions on how to do the left one? looks like a big pain, no room to work with

Fozz · 05-27-2007, 08:19 PM

I found my headgasket leak with a really good flashlight and engine running (look for subtle exhaust leaking). Just becareful of heat of engine, rotating fan and belts, etc. I removed the engine and rebuilt the whole thing, but people have removed that head backing out the rear bolts (you can't remove them because of room) but keeping them in the head while both removing and then re-installing.

djserd · 05-28-2007, 12:07 AM

So is it really the manifold gasket, or could it be something else?

Fozz · 05-28-2007, 01:07 AM

Sorry, I kinda had head gasket on my mind! You still might be able to find with a good flashlight (from the top only I guess). You could try tightening them, not sure what they should be torqued to though. I guess the exhaust manifold could crack, although I wouldn't think that's very likely.

cdnsarguy · 05-28-2007, 05:03 AM

Have you checked by sound for the location yet.....what about the Y pipe connector(s)

Yes you can cautously attempt a retorque of the gasket..

Torque stated for F series is 20 ftlbs .........