Finding A Small Exhaust Leak

[Cdiesel288]

It just started recently.

When the exhaust brake activates, I sometimes hear a very sad-sounding whistle/whine coming from the engine bay.

I checked all my ports & plugs, and I assume that since it happens with the exhaust brake, it has to be somewhere between the exhaust ports and the exhaust inlet to the primary (VGT turbo).

There is no carbon buildup anywhere, and with a VGT, I can't exactly have someone hit the accelerator pedal while looking at the motor.

I also checked the torque on all the exhaust manifold studs.

I have no idea where it could be, and it's embarrassing when I hear it because I know you can listen to it from far away.

I don't think it could be from the intermediate exhaust pipe that feeds the turbo, right?

I already checked all that, too.

I'm stumped.

Thanks for any bright ideas!

Edit* There is a small amount of carbon on the turbo blanket where the V band bolt is, but it's tight.

Maybe the downpipe has rattled out of alignment a bit?

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[AK Bob]

You could pressurize the exhaust system at the tailpipe with the engine off, then check for leaks with soapy water or a smoke machine.

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[Cdiesel288]

You could pressurize the exhaust system at the tailpipe with the engine off, then check for leaks with soapy water or a smoke machine.

That's not a bad idea.

That's how we found them with gas engines, but I wasn't sure how the turbos would appreciate blocking off exhaust flow.

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[AK Bob]

That's not a bad idea.

That's how we found them with gas engines, but I wasn't sure how the turbos would appreciate blocking off exhaust flow.

It won't be a problem with the turbo; you are pressuring the exhaust manifold via the tailpipe through the turbo's hot side.

Another option for leak detection in this video.

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[Corkey]

My foot would come off the pedal somehow; my partner would have to change the skivvies and contact my homeowner's insurance for a claim, LOL.

High EGTs, low boost, and poor driving behaviors aren't all 6.0 Fords?

It's a great video, with the jokes aside.

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[AK Bob]

My foot would come off the pedal somehow; my partner would have to change the skivvies and contact my homeowner's insurance for a claim, LOL.

High EGTs, low boost, and poor driving behaviors aren't all 6.0 Fords?

It's a great video, with the jokes aside.

I agree; my first suggestion is a safer method.

Another option involved idling a cold engine and spraying the exhaust with soapy water.

I prefer to check for leaks with the engine off.

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