Exhaust leak, or some kind of leak!

[SRJesse]

Hey Guys, I have a really bad exhaust leak on my sr20det. I thought it was coming from the downpipe gasket being bad, but its not. I did feel air coming from the turbo area, but after tighting a bolt I never felt it again, although the loud exhaust leak sound is still there. I have a heavy duty metal gasket on the turbo, so I was really doubting it was that. Any ideas? Or suggestions of finding out where the leak is without tearing things apart?

[SpeedRacer1]

Could you be a bit more vague? I had an exhaust leak (still do) and it never made a sound, why do you think its an exhaust leak from the turbo area?

[I H8 UR DSM]

yea....

its common for the turbo bolts that hold it to the ex. mani to come loose, which in turn burns up that gasket a bit, and causes ex. leaks....it would be real loud, and you would feel it in performance loss

[SRJesse]

It is very loud, and I am not running stock boost. It has gotten so bad its like all the boost just comes out of the leak, and am only getting around 4psi unless I am really pushing on it. Thanks for the input, I am going to be checking everything out tonight hopefully.

[I H8 UR DSM]

yea, my guess is that your turbo came loose from the ex. mani....you might need to replace the gasket again....its a very common problem....and is a ***** and a half to fix, and change that gasket....a lot of labor....you gotta make sure that thing is completely tight, and use the 'locks'(tabs)

[SRJesse]

Thanks for you input. Do you know if its ok to drive like that? I am a daily driver and go back and forth to school. I dont wanna hurt anything else, and dont have the time to do it right now. Hopefully by the end of this week.

[I H8 UR DSM]

sure......unless its very loose, and a flame shoots out of your ex. mani, and blows the car up : )