I got headers installed and i took it to a shop and they fixed my exhaust leak that was driving me crazy for a week. It still almost sounds like i have an exhaust leak but i looked under my car and nothing appears to be coming out. Is it normal for cars to sound like they have an exhaust leak when new headers are put on? The sound is only when i go thru drive thrus or next to a car putting a load on the engine.

 

Its it more of a psssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss sound or a whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh sound?

 

its like a valve tap sort of! i cant explain it. its only when im driving normally. Not when im accelerating hard.

 

You can't see an exhaust leak buddy. You have to put your hand a few inches away from the exhaust all around it, top and bottom and sides while it's running and feel for the leak. Come on man...

 

I had the same issue... The best way to see if you have an exhaust leak is to look where the gaskets are and if you have black film/build up than that is where the leak is coming from. I bought a sheet of exhaust gasket at a parts store, removed, traced then cut and installed.... no more leak!!