How to Find Exhaust Leaks - EricTheCarGuy

Every once in a while you run into a situation where you just can't find that pesky leak and in my experience this is one of the easiest ways to locate a hard to find leak like that. Of corse this works best when you have a 'helper' so if you're going to try this you might want to grab a friend first.

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Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result.  Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.

[SkilledEddie]

I found exhaust leaks on my truck by spraying soapy water on the exhaust.  I use a shop vac in the tail pipe blowing air in.  When i did that large bubbles formed and it was easy to spot.  Turned out to be leaking from the flange donut gaskets.  It's a lot easier to do it this way because the engine isnt running so the exhaust is cool.  Plus you don't have to listen for anything.

[kstinson]

You have the ultimate "reality" mechanics channel on youtube. You put the good, the bad, and the ugly which really shows people what they are getting into with auto mechanics. Thanks!

[persianchris]

QUICK NOTES:
1) Weep holes may be found at the muffler which is for water (Not a leak) so don't plug it
2) Plug mufflers with a rag to enhance any leaks and force the exhaust out of whatever is leaking (NOTE: Should be easier for you to hear & find the leak. You could also feel around areas for the leak as you'll feel the exhaust leaking out from being plugged at the muffler)

3) If found sound/leak by Exhaust Manifold: A) Tighten up Fasteners on Exhaust Manifold to see if that resolves it or B) Replace the Gasket(s)

***So informative and helpful!! Thank you Eric, salute!!

[SJAndrewbsme]

Great trick. The trick I always use is seafoam. I pour it into the brake booster hose while the engine is running to burn off the carbon in the heads and top end. Very opaque smoke will pour out of the exhaust and any leaks. This is how I found a broken flex joint in my grand prix.

[JWSmythe]

I've never heard of anyone using the rag method, but it sounds like a great idea. The shop vac suggestion someone else made in the comments sounds great too.

[mrbriceno]

woke up this morning and thought someone put twin turbo in my 98 accord.. I was sadly mistaken

[MrJohnsonx]

I thought for sure you were going to do the dollar bill trick to find the leak. Where you hold a dollar just over the pipe and move it around until you see it flapping. For me it works better than feeling with my hand. Thanks for your time! Rad videos Eric!

[Toby]

Eric, even when i don't have problems with my vehicles. i enjoy watching your videos because it further expands my knowledge in the automotive field. thank you so much! keep the videos coming!

[Spac]

If you have tried the rag in exhaust trick and still can't find it, give your engine a dose if seafoam thru the intake/vacuum line. Doesn't matter if seafoam does anything, but the resulting smokescreen makes leaks SO easy to find.

[sarag]

It was literally as simple as starting my car from cold, taking off my glove, and feeling for leaks. I found a gash in my exhaust within minutes. You are the man, Eric the Car Guy!!!

[TravisTerrell]

2:00 Glad to see the jack stands. Floor jacks are usually reliable, but it always makes me nervous when people crawl underneath without them. (I've known people who've done it all their life, but I know what would happen the second I tried it!)

[AmplifiedGaming]

Excellent video thanks a lot. Changed the head gasket on my 1980 Triumph Spitfire. Got everything back together to find the exhaust was leaking. Couldn’t find any obvious leaks in the pipe, gave this video a watch, hopefully can sort it out with an easy fix like this!

[ashleymarshall]

Very informative thank you, A question which came up for me was how dangerous can blocking the exhaust be for the car and how long have I got with the rag?

[mariavasquez]

My husband's car was making a funny noise but no lights on the dash were on and it was driving just fine. I sent a video of it to my brother who said it could possibly be an exhaust leak. So I looked up exhaust leak and stumbled upon your video and so glad I did. I probably would have paid an arm and leg and paid for stuff that didn't need to be repaired. He had 2 fasteners that were barely on. We tightened them up and the noise stop. Thanks so much again for this video!!

[briggs]

The best way I have seen to find an exhaust leak and was quite amazing, you put a smoke machine on the exhaust tip pumping smoke backwards towards the engine and you will see the smoke leaking out of the what ever gasket or hole there are... it is here on youtube and it was so cool to see.

[thersten]

The mechanic was nice enough to lift my car up & show me the leak when it didn't pass emissions inspection here. I don't know if people have required emissions inspections elsewhere. He also used a shop rag but it wasn't really necessary; it was a big leak. Definitely going back to this shop if I ever need something done.

[roberthorwat]

Greetings from the UK. I was being razzed by a flange visibly intact apart from the bit I could not see and but for your tip I don't know how long it would have taken to pinpoint. Once I could hear the changing tone the location was nailed. Lo and behold once off there she was! Cannot thank you enough!.

[rickrichie]

@4:54 "If you could feel, if you could feel it through the video." 😂

[Roushfan]

Depending on where the exhaust leak is it can allow exhaust to leak into places you don't' want it it. Namely the cab of the vehicle, and that can cause all kinds of problems. Also your car may not pass local emission regs, and a lot of people like their car to be as quiet as possible. Also exhausts are actually a pretty key part of your overall engine performance. A bad exhaust system can cause subpar performance if allowed to un checked. Perhaps even cause engine damage.

[Dubiels]

Great tip Eric. I was dreading looking for my exhaust leak until I came across your video. Thanks!