Finding exhaust leaks?

[EZLIFE]

I would like to find where my exhaust is leaking. Has anyone tried spraying water or oil into the throat of the carburetor, while the car is running, to create smoke or steam to watch for leaks?

[Joe K]

I had an exhaust leak and must have re-established the connection between manifold and block, and between manifold and exhaust pipe three times. I even tried the "gasket & sleeve" that some use between the pipe and manifold.

Did you know that there are several "patterns" of clamps used between the pipe and manifold. I had half a dozen clamps handy and at least half of these I would consider "skimpy" in dimension. What I think is the oldest and seems to have the most material may be an "original." (I.e. this something else to check.)

But that is not where my issue was. Rather the cast manifold itself had "hairline cracks" which I discovered while trying oil between the block and manifold as a kind of "bubble test."

I was generous with the oil. Dribbled across the hot manifold. The bubbles instead I found on the top and across the manifold surface itself - but the manifold itself SEEMED whole.

Removing it and dropping it on the pavement caused the manifold to break into half a dozen pieces. Many of the cracks appeared long term with rust in the juncture.

Joe K

[Floats]

Ezlife,
Get yourself a piece of hose, garden hose, rubber hose, whatever and use it as an ear piece. Hold one side close to your ear and the other, “sniffing” around the joints of the manifold and engine. Works like a phone.

[JoeCB]

A little "flag" can help... with a little piece of tissue paper on the end of a stick. Move your tiny "flag" around the suspect joints and look for the 'friendly wave'

Joe B

[Kurt in NJ]

I use a piece of hose.

[Bob Johnson]

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With the engine off. I use a shop vac. Just connect one end the hose to the exhaust of the shop vac and the other end to the tail pipe. Turn on the shop vac and spray soapy water wherever you suspect a leak. Bubbles will let you know where the leak is located.


Bob

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Bob Johnson

With the engine off. I use a shop vac. Just connect one end the hose to the exhaust of the shop vac and the other end to the tail pipe. Turn on the shop vac and spray soapy water wherever you suspect a leak. Bubbles will let you know where the leak is located.


Bob

I like it...