2004 XC90 t6 exhaust leak

KevinCro · Post by **KevinCro** » 09 Mar 2020, 21:14

Hey guys, I have an exhaust leak. The previous owner, who shall remain nameless, strikes me as the type to use the "oh well if we get one bolt in it, thats good enough" kind of shade tree mechanic. I have looked around the engine and can't really find any leaks but I haven't torn into it too deeply. My question is, if the previous owner did a head gasket job and re installed the head, are there any places that I should look first? Thanks guys

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Mar 2020, 12:34

If he is that flippant. He may of skipped on replacing the exhaust manifold gasket.
The quickest way to find the leak would be to Smoke Test the exhaust system by injecting smoke up the tail pipe.

KevinCro · Post by **KevinCro** » 11 Mar 2020, 13:37

I found three loose bolts and one that was just barely started.

Post by **RickHaleParker** » 11 Mar 2020, 15:09

KevinCro wrote: ↑11 Mar 2020, 13:37 I found three loose bolts and one that was just barely started.

Does the gasket look new?
Torque to bolts to 25 Nm ( 19 Ft-lbs ) .

Post by **SuperHerman** » 13 Mar 2020, 00:03

Not unheard of bolts loosening after manifold work - whether turbos or head gasket. It is recommended to put new exhaust hardware on for this reason.

If I recall correctly the motor came with studs and nuts, not bolts. The bolts like to fuse to the stud and come out as one - it makes torquing them incorrect. Prior work may have handled them this way.