How can you tell if you have an exhaust leak? I think it's possible I may have one towards the back, right next to my muffler, but I do not know for sure. I do not smell anything out of the ordinary, do not see anything from what I can see laying on the ground looking up, but I can hear it seeming to be slightly louder than it should be, or has been in the past...
Also, the car is running slightly sluggish since I've noticed this, like a loss of power. Also am starting to hear my vavles when in low RPMs and giving it gas. Thats gonna happen with any car though. But any ideas on what I might be able to do?

 

Throw it up on jackstands and get under it. Listening from the header back. If you have an exhaust leak, then it will be quite apparent. If you're going to be at Gard's tech day, then we can take a look then....whenever it's going to be.

On the loss of power....the first thing that pops in my mind is to check your air filter if you haven't in a while.

 

VERY true with the air filter but no I will not have my car on the day of the tech day. My car goes in the shop that morning to get the system done. I will have to check it out some other time. But It's drivig me crazy!

 

The noise you say is the valves might be the injectors ticking or the timing chain because I purchased my tC brand new and it was pretty noisy already.

 

Could be an exhaust leak ... check the last paragraph about the ticking noise:

http://www.carcare.org/Exhaust/exhaust_pipe.shtml

If you want to check it yourself start by putting it on a lift and inspect the exhaust system for black soot marks. You could still have a small leak without leaving soot so you may have to start the car and CAREFULLY see/feel for the leak blowing past a flange - remember exhaust gets hot!!

Heard about a trick where you tape your shopvac to the tailpipe - with car off and pipes cool - and blow air bass ackwards into your exhaust pipe. That way you can supposedly feel air escaping from a leak without scorching your hand. Don't know how well that would work ...

 

Thanks guys! My tC was brand new when i bought it as well and this tick noise is not normal though with this car. But I guess with 46k miles on it, it's about time for that sound to come...