Exhaust Leak

[NICONick]

OK, so I just got my car inspected in NJ... FAIL! No surprise there, I failed emissions and was told that I have an exhaust leak, so first things first. I just bought a new cat and threw it on there, what could be causing me to fail emissions still as I am unsure why my readings are waaayyy above the state requirement? I know this prob a very broad question, just asking for common things to change. I don't know if it matters but I have an Injen Intake, and DC Sports Header.

Next, I don't know where my exhaust leak is coming from. What is the best way to find or scope out an exhaust leak? Any tricks or hints? I believe that this exhaust leak could also be the culprate of my rattling noise. I believe the leak is pre-cat. Any hints LMK.

Thanks.

[EnjoiNismo]

Are they telling you to "fix" the exhaust leak?If anything the exhaust leak would help you out, and lower your numbers.

You can pull an injector out for the time being

[nothing]

A catalytic converter can only convert so much crap. If your engine is not running properly (I assume its not) or efficiently then your problem is not your cat...its before that. Are you running rich or anything? CEL on? I would first find that exhaust leak. Then diagnose anything wrong via check engine light or whatever. After that I would do a complete tune up.

Going by the number of your posts you aren't new. Makes me wonder.

Good luck with fix and passing smog. I passed here in California with a check engine light on for leaky injector, egr, and knock sensor. It was all done legally and the right way. None of that pay to pass crap. Good luck!

[DanThaMan]

a good way to find an exhaust leak if you cant "hear" it, is to get a mechanic stethoscope and pull the probe off so its just a tube connected to the ear part. Then run the tube around any gaskets, welds, flex joints, etc. If there is a leak, you should be able to find it pretty quickly by doing this. This also works for vacuum and boost leaks. Good Luck.

[nifares240]

OK, so I just got my car inspected in NJ... FAIL! No surprise there, I failed emissions and was told that I have an exhaust leak, so first things first. I just bought a new cat and threw it on there, what could be causing me to fail emissions still as I am unsure why my readings are waaayyy above the state requirement? I know this prob a very broad question, just asking for common things to change. I don't know if it matters but I have an Injen Intake, and DC Sports Header.

Next, I don't know where my exhaust leak is coming from. What is the best way to find or scope out an exhaust leak? Any tricks or hints? I believe that this exhaust leak could also be the culprate of my rattling noise. I believe the leak is pre-cat. Any hints LMK.

Thanks.

you can get something to cover the muffler, like a rag, to hear where the leak is coming from. if you do this, a whistling sound can be heard if you have a leak somewhere. that sucks you failed inspection.

my car passes inspection with full a open exhaust even my egr is disconnected. so you shouldn't have a problem with.

[NICONick]

A catalytic converter can only convert so much crap. If your engine is not running properly (I assume its not) or efficiently then your problem is not your cat...its before that. Are you running rich or anything? CEL on? I would first find that exhaust leak. Then diagnose anything wrong via check engine light or whatever. After that I would do a complete tune up.

Going by the number of your posts you aren't new. Makes me wonder.

Good luck with fix and passing smog. I passed here in California with a check engine light on for leaky injector, egr, and knock sensor. It was all done legally and the right way. None of that pay to pass crap. Good luck!

No CEL's. Car smells like it might be running a little rich. Not quite sure tho. Still need to track down that leak, I think its coming from my crappy DC Sports header. I can hear the rattle-ish sound that the exhaust is making, but I just can't track it down. Oh well, I'll find it, gotta figure out what's going on with the car itself and why the numbers are getting so thrown off...

[WhiteKnight]

[wendysricer]

cover up the end of the muffler with your hands and have some listen for a leak at the same time.

[Wc240]

take a piece of rubber fuel line, like 2 feet. stick one end in your ear, run the other end around possible leaks.not only can you hear it, but the skin on/around your ear is very sensitive and you will undoughtably be able to feel it. best/easiest way to check. most exhoust shops use this method