I use a chunk of hose and hold it to my ear then around the exhaust to
listen for leaks. It works pretty well. Shops use an open
stethoscope. Our local parts stores sell them cheap.

It wouldn't hurt anything to put a torque wrench on the manifold bolts.
They are known to come loose now and then....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


Clap Trap wrote:
>
> Initially, I thought it might be a crack in the header like you're
> talking. But I tried putting a hand in and feeling for leaks. I've
> done that on my old CJ a few times and found leaks every time. But I
> didn't feel anything on the XJ. I can usually hear where the leak is
> too, but no luck with that on the XJ either.
>
> I was actually hoping it would be a cat problem that was causing the
> joint between the header and exhaust pipe to open slightly. But really,
> since it goes away after a few minutes, it's probably not a cat problem
> and is more likely a small crack somewhere that I just can't feel. A
> cat would be easier to fix. If it's a manifold leak, I'll just wait
> till it starts spewing fumes before I touch it.
>
> SWMBO probably wouldn't let me hook the vac up to the tailpipe - might
> get it dirty ya know. Otherwise, I'd give that a try.
>
> Ya know what else is odd, but it came like that from the factory, is
> that the exhaust pipe has a serious crimp in it right where it makes the
> turn leaving the engine bay. It's crimped to about half diameter. My
> cousin has an XJ that's the same way. Very strange.

 

I use a chunk of hose and hold it to my ear then around the exhaust to
listen for leaks. It works pretty well. Shops use an open
stethoscope. Our local parts stores sell them cheap.

It wouldn't hurt anything to put a torque wrench on the manifold bolts.
They are known to come loose now and then....

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


Clap Trap wrote:
>
> Initially, I thought it might be a crack in the header like you're
> talking. But I tried putting a hand in and feeling for leaks. I've
> done that on my old CJ a few times and found leaks every time. But I
> didn't feel anything on the XJ. I can usually hear where the leak is
> too, but no luck with that on the XJ either.
>
> I was actually hoping it would be a cat problem that was causing the
> joint between the header and exhaust pipe to open slightly. But really,
> since it goes away after a few minutes, it's probably not a cat problem
> and is more likely a small crack somewhere that I just can't feel. A
> cat would be easier to fix. If it's a manifold leak, I'll just wait
> till it starts spewing fumes before I touch it.
>
> SWMBO probably wouldn't let me hook the vac up to the tailpipe - might
> get it dirty ya know. Otherwise, I'd give that a try.
>
> Ya know what else is odd, but it came like that from the factory, is
> that the exhaust pipe has a serious crimp in it right where it makes the
> turn leaving the engine bay. It's crimped to about half diameter. My
> cousin has an XJ that's the same way. Very strange.