V6 Exhaust Leak

[94CoupeV6]

Hey guys, I haven't been on this forum in quite a while now. Been really busy.

I'm having a huge problem with my exhaust though. The car is a 1994 Camry V6 and it has a blatant exhaust leak which seems to be coming from the front header (one nearest the front of the car). Does the Gen 3 Camry V6 have known exhaust problems? I'm just trying to figure out what I am looking at for repairs. What are common things to go wrong? Could it just be a header gasket? A crack in the runners? I've also noticed that my gas mileage has gone down quite considerably.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

[toyomoho]

Gas mileage may be suffering because the leak is causing the 02 or A/F sensor to send bad info to the computer.

You will need to run down the leak, use a piece of rubber hose as a stethoscope or your hand to feel for gas leaks. Also check were the header mates up to the exhaust pipe. Check for broken studs that are supposed to hold the manifold on.

[Eye8Pussies]

^ what he said

also though, you can use seafoam to find exhaust leaks.
then take it to a shop

[bigbird]

i know there were always problem with the rear bank (bank 1 i believe), manifold gasket blowing but i havnt herd too much abotu the front. but thats where i would point teh finger since you are having performance issues.

[94CoupeV6]

I'm really hoping it's just a gasket. As for the bad mileage, I am almost 100% sure that it's because the O2 sensor isn't getting a normal exhaust flow. It's probably reading really lean and dumping fuel into the engine.

[marc780]

Determine whether the leak is just from a leaky gasket, or a crack in the manifold. Change the gasket first, (use anti sieze on the nuts and bolts that survive removal), if you still have a leak and cant trace it to another spot, perhaps the manifold is cracked. If this is the case, you may be able to have the old one welded (depending on where the crack is - and the welder will want it off the car) or just get another from a junkyard.

[94CoupeV6]

I actually think the leak is coming from the y-pipe or even farther back.

[samarai912]

Check the flex pipe on your cross over. they get worn and split or maybe you scrapped somewhere. jack it up get your hand wet and feel for air all along your piping. "Like a Fat Kid in a Candy store!!!"

[eddie926]

I have a leak in the flex pipe on my '95 LE I4. Man, that is one expensive little piece of hardware from the dealer. They quoted me like $750 just for the part.

[samarai912]

Just go to a muffler shop and buy the flex pipe. they're about $50- $80. bring your crossover with you. have them cut out your old flex and weld in the new make sure they measure before and after. because otherwise your manifolds wont line up. its better if you do it yourself. that way you don't have to pay 12 dollars a weld that takes 70 secs to do.

[samarai912]

the thing is about the dealer they aren't going to fix the flex pipe ,they'll just replace the whole crossover.
-samarai912
" like a fat kid in a Candy store"