| short version: Possibly caused by blunt force trauma to PS test pipe near the downpipe. Can I reach all these bolts to tighten them up? What size head are they? I am anticipating removing all the piping that I can in the area and then just hitting the manifold bolts with a wrench. long version: I hate to even admit this, but since I sold my truck I have been using my Z as a DD. It was going great until maybe 3 weeks ago on Friday I ran over a concrete parking curb stop @ about 3-5 mph. I made specially careful not to park in front of one but my eyes are bad or maybe I just missed it or something and when I took off I was admiring my Z in the reflection of the business and ran over this parking stop. It was loud and horrible but I got out and saw no damage. Underneath the car the passenger side test pipe had taken obvious damage, a 3" long gash and about 1" wide and about .5" deep. This is about 2" from where the testpipe meets the downpipe and is in the middle of the bend. The front left tire rolled over the parking stop, lifting the car, and then dropping it on the test pipe. I checked for exhaust leaks at the time, couldnt find any. Checked again a coupe days later, couldnt find any. Been worried about it and checking on it ever since, and nothing ever really worried me. Turbo was still good, not leaking oil or anything. Car seemed to be ok. Well last week after I had driven the car to work one day which is 75 miles away, and it sat for about 5 or 6 hours, and then I cranked it back on, I could have sworn I heard the tick tick tick of a manifold exhaust leak coming from my passenger side. Since then I have observed the noise again in similar instances such as at lunch when I turn the car on or after work when I turn the car on again after at least an hour of driving, then several hours of rest. But it doesnt seem to happen if the car has sat for 12 or more hours. Because of this pattern it leads me to believe that it is some sort of exhaust leak that manifests when the car gets hot, then cools, and I hear it when I turn it back on. But it doesnt always do this, that I can hear. Maybe it is always happening, and I just cant hear it over other engine noise, but at times it is a loud and noticeable noise. I think anyone with car knowledge would think it was a manifold exhaust leak because of the tick-tick-tick in tune with the speed and rhythm of the exhaust note. Is it possible though that it is giving that tick on the downpipe or the testpipe connection? The problem is that it doesnt always make the noise. Also the problem is that sometimes the car is really noisy with PCVs rattling and my stock cam gears sounding like a skeleton jacking off because of the JWT 500 cams. Any tricks to verify or symptoms to confirm? Today I stuck a piece of vacuum hose down there with the car running and stuck the other end to my ear and didnt hear anything, but it was a very quick and unprofessional test. Also my alternator could be on its last leg. I have heard of alternators ticking? TIA
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"If everybody is thinking alike, somebody isn't thinking."
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