Header Install - Need some help

[tollboothwilley]

Installed my headers... very large pain in the arse. So...I get the car put back together and I am getting a leak on the passenger side. UGH!! I dunno what the leak is from, maybe the gasket got pinched or something.

Lets say I really don't want to take the car apart again, but I will have no choice...

Problem is this: I'm getting an SES light. Can this be cause solely by manifold leak? I'm wondering if it is linked to pre-cat O2 sensors. I changed out the O2 sensors post-cat while putting it back together.

Would love to have a Tech shed some insight.

[srv2nv]

What headers did you end up going with? (stillen, DC, etc)

Did you happen to check the headers over for leaks before installing them? Welds can sometimes be notorious for hiding holes. Make sure to check that the O2 sensors were installed properly (wires, depth of sensor, etc) before uninstalling everything, you never know what you could have over looked.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

1+ for tackling the install yourself, that's a big job man... too bad it wasn't a smooth install, that's such a pain. Anyway, do you have a OBDII scanner? Got any codes to share?

If you removed any grounding wires, it's possible that you could get a ses light, can you hear any leaks in the engine bay?

Now, tell me, what's it feel like? Sounds? Vids? come on John, we need more

[Poyzinous]

You mention o2 sensors. you had to have done something wrong. maybe. and did you leave anything else disconnected when you replaced the header? spray some water around where you hear the leak and see what it is. More than likely its your header.

[tollboothwilley]

I can hear the header leaking, so I know that I'm going to have to get back in there. I think it might be the gasket?? I'm not sure. I'll try using some water to determine where the leak is Poynizous.

Can leaking headers cause an SES light?

I replaced my after-cat O2 sensors because one of the originals had stripped threads. I figured I should just replace both of them, so I did. Maybe I need to change the pre-cat O2 sensors as well??

[BrandAidDesignG35]

See what code it's throwing first.

[tollboothwilley]

I don't have a code reader and I have it sitting up on jack stands.

I haven't driven it yet. I was going to burp the coolant system but I was getting a really rough idle and leaking from the header.

I'm not sure if the idle sound was due to the header leak or not though.

[tollboothwilley]

Fixed it. I didnt have one of the manifold studs back in there all the way so it was leaking. Nice and tight now.

Even deeper sound than before. I'll have to let you guys know what i think about it. I need to go back out and fill up the coolant system.

I'll try to post up a video of the new sound.

I'd recommend taking all of the manifold studs/nuts and and just replacing them with different bolts for anybody who does this themselves.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

Excellent bro!

Nice find, too bad you had to go in there again, what a PITA!!! Videos are required or lol

[BrandAidDesignG35]

I just thought of this and thought I'd ya'...

You have like 20 lines of modifications in your sig, and you never bought a code reader?

How is your baby doing John? your firstborn not the G? This is General chat so

[TeflonG35]

This thread doesn't make me want to tackle this job any faster. lol.

[Goat_Wiz]

I jsut got back onto the mainland, and Im trying to finish my Fast Intentions exhaust and HFC install. I cannot for the life of my get the bolts on the cats loose. The directions that came with it are not very helpful. I got 2 on the passenger side out, the top and outside one, cant get the one towards the inside. And on the Driver I only got the one closest to the inside out. Any tips anyone?

[tollboothwilley]

I just thought of this and thought I'd ya'...

You have like 20 lines of modifications in your sig, and you never bought a code reader?

How is your baby doing John? your firstborn not the G? This is General chat so

Never did get a code reader. I figured it was just the headers leaking since I could hear it.

My little girl is doing really good. She's getting big, almost up to normal size. Been playin catch up since she was so early. Here's a little update pic for ya.

This thread doesn't make me want to tackle this job any faster. lol.

Look at the bright side, I can help you through the install process now that I know what a pain in the @$$ it was. If I was to do it again I'm confident it would take me about 6 hours or so.

I jsut got back onto the mainland, and Im trying to finish my Fast Intentions exhaust and HFC install. I cannot for the life of my get the bolts on the cats loose. The directions that came with it are not very helpful. I got 2 on the passenger side out, the top and outside one, cant get the one towards the inside. And on the Driver I only got the one closest to the inside out. Any tips anyone?

I'm assuming you mean the 2 bolts and the 1 nut on the top side of the cats where they connect to the header/manifold? On the passenger side I use 3 extension pieces with a deep socket to get the best access to those. Make sure you have used PB blaster or WD-40 and sprayed those generously. Let sit for 5-10 min. There are 2 bolts and 1 nut that hold it on. Make sure you are going at that nut cuz the backside of that bolt is welded to the manifold. The use of 3 extensions is very helpful in getting those off. On the drivers side I actually got one loose with 4 extensions and accessing by the intake from the engine bay. GL. If you need help post up a pic real quick

[G_whizz]

Holy crap!!

Can she be any cuter!!

Good job brosef...she looks like a lil fairy..

[tollboothwilley]

I like that pic of her. Kinda shows some of her personality. She gives me that look while I'm talking to her...just before she smiles at me.

[BrandAidDesignG35]

She's so cute! Congrats again!!! Where do you ever find the time for everything?

[tollboothwilley]

Keep busy for sure. Sometimes gets hard to find time with the baby. But its worth it.

I really wish I had more tuning options than Technosquare. I really wish COBB would get on it... They're not far from me, so I've talked to them several times.