Leaks and Sensors... still having problems after pacesetters

[Loochy88]

ive had my headers on for about a month now. the first time i just used paper gaskets and soaked them. i could really tell that they were leaking though, so i yanked them back off and put some self cut rubber fiber gaskets on them with some ultra copper (permatex). there seem to be fewer leaks now but i can still hear it. it almost seems louder in the car than it does under the hood. im thinking it might be from where the header meets the y pipe so i put a few washers on there and torqued them down real tight but im still hearing it.

my other problem is that im still getting an ses light from my o2 sensors. i have a sensor tester and i tested the two on the headers but neither one gave off any signal even after letting the car warm up. i guess it could have been a problem with the tester because my driver side sensor is brand new. less than 20 miles on it. i reset the computer and the light hasnt come on again yet but ive barely driven the car since, and im almost sure it will come back on.

[MrCoffee]

my driver side header leaks a very little bit where it meets the y pipe. mine sounds like a ticking or puttering. gets pretty annoying but the y pipe is welded and the bolts are tight so there's no point taking it off. I may try some exhaust wrap, but my problem isnt as bad as yours.

My SES light actually went away after I got my cat back welded on. try some o2 sims

[Loochy88]

Originally posted by MrCoffee:
try some o2 sims

yeah, i think it might come to that.

[MrCoffee]

oh and try tighting all your bolts after the car was run for a few minutes. common sense would tell you to wear gloves for this. but the aluminum becomes very flexable and you can actually tighten the bolts a few more turns. My shop did that with my header to the y-pipe bolts and they said they got it 4 turns tighter easily.

it doesnt take long for the exhaust pipes to heat up so at idle for 5 or so min should do the trick. it might help that leak you're having.

[99W68Firebird]

sure its not a leak in the EGR? thats where my leak is at.. anyone have any suggestions?

[BLUE]

Originally posted by 99W68Firebird:
sure its not a leak in the EGR? thats where my leak is at.. anyone have any suggestions?

I wrote a walk through about this, try searching it. By the way, you probably will need a new hose ($50 new-$25 used).