I don't like getting beat up, but here I am again in the barrel. Got a little exhaust leak that I have never said anything about because I thought I knew all about it. Once again -- NOT.
Dug into the machine today to fix it knowing the turbo would be the worst part -- NOT.
Tried to pull off the exhaust manifold but the head of an allen bolt on the belt-driven viscous-heater was in the way.
Tried to remove the viscous heater but I had put the two mounting bolts in the wrong holes.
This is one mistake I made after having the engine apart for over a year. When I noticed it, I thought "...I won't have to go in here for a long time, so let it stay as-is..." Wrong judgement there!
Had to take off the timing belt cover to get access to the head of the bolt. That means taking off the idler pulleys for the serpentine fan belt.
Finally got the exhaust manifold off but could not see any sign of a leak. At least the underside of the heat shield does have some soot on it -- but not very much.
So, is there anything else I should be looking at that would sound like an exhaust manifold gasket leak?
The engine makes a loud tick on acceleration but it only sounds like one cylinder. (Exhaust manifold gasket leaks sound rather metallic when they are small.)
There was not evidence at the exhaust manifold, so checked the tightness of the injectors. They are tight too.
My next sobering thought is maybe one exhaust valve lifter did not get situated correctly. Before I go there, I'd like some support from all the Gurus out there.
(If a lifter is not pumping up, will it eventually pump up?)
(If an exhaust valve lifter is not in place, would it make this noise?)
Dean.