DIY - Exhaust Leak Test (Seafoam) - Find Exhaust Leaks

[1.8tguy94]

I totally agree with you! Im starting to think that as well! Everyone seems to get that small amount of smoke there.

[groggory]

I totally agree with you! Im starting to think that as well! Everyone seems to get that small amount of smoke there.

I disagree. Any smoke means a leak.

Put a rag loosely in the tail pipe to increase exhaust pressure and you'll see where the leak is even more clearly

[1.8tguy94]

I did do that, there wasn't really any precise area...im thinking theres a greater valve or something that lets exhaust air or something out (I could totally be wrong though). My mechanic wasn't concerned about it really and thought that it might be normal as well.

[groggory]

I did do that, there wasn't really any precise area...im thinking theres a greater valve or something that lets exhaust air or something out (I could totally be wrong though). My mechanic wasn't concerned about it really and thought that it might be normal as well.

It's not normal. Think about where the smoke can possibly come from. You shouldn't have any.

However, he's right... A LITTLE won't kill you. I bet your flex pipe is leaking.a little bit.

[1.8tguy94]

yeah its hardly any at all, it could be that, I guess I didn't pay attention to that. I bet it was

[1.8quest]

Mine was leaking from the gasket that the turbo and the manifold mounts together. I used a mirror while using seafoam to search for the smoke leak and found it. I was going to replace the gasket and then found out that it turns out that one of the three bolts where loose and i tightened it and fixed the leak. also gained 3-4 lbs of boost. you have to remove boost hose and heat shield to access the third bolt.

[1.8tguy94]

hmm, Ill have to see if its loose!

[1FlyGuyInaGLi]

FYI on the bottle. If you sea foam in the crankcase aka put in your oil, it's recommended you change the oil AFTER due to removing impurities. Don't change your oil then add sea foam. This is wrong an allows the impurities to remain in the engine

[groggory]

FYI on the bottle. If you sea foam in the crankcase aka put in your oil, it's recommended you change the oil AFTER due to removing impurities. Don't change your oil then add sea foam. This is wrong an allows the impurities to remain in the engine

This is true. But this use of seafoam is NOT AT ALL the point of this thread.

The use of seafoam in this thread is to find exhaust leaks.

OTHER USES OF SEAFOAM INCLUDE:
* Fuel Treatment
* Oil Treatment

[Rockin3.2]

I treated my car this evening and noticed about the same amount of smoke coming from behind the engine as from the muffler. I thought that was strange so I searched and found this thread. Looks like I may need to take the car to my mechanic. I used a mirror to try to find where it was coming from and couldn't, so I'll leave it to the expert I guess. I have been having strange issues with my car so a leak may be the problem.

[groggory]

I treated my car this evening and noticed about the same amount of smoke coming from behind the engine as from the muffler. I thought that was strange so I searched and found this thread. Looks like I may need to take the car to my mechanic. I used a mirror to try to find where it was coming from and couldn't, so I'll leave it to the expert I guess. I have been having strange issues with my car so a leak may be the problem.

Have a friend hold a rag lightly in the tail pipe to create some exhaust backpressure...

then do the mirror/ flashlight diagnosis of where the leak is coming from.

Doesn't take a mechanic to see where the smoke is coming from.

[McDubin]

Subscribed for mah dukes' 5-speed, turbo Beetle.