I had to change the downpipe or header pipe, whatever its called(the pipe that connects to the exhaust manifold and ends before the catalytic converter), because of a huge dent. I got another pipe from TAP and also got new gaskets from the dealership. After I installed these items, there was sort of a putting sound(sorta like a quiet machine gun) that came from around the recently installed pipe. I can't tell whether the sound is from vibration or exhaust/air leakage. I thightened the bolts as much as I could, is there torque specifications for the bolts that connect to the exhaust manifold or something? 6g celicas are sexy cars, but if they sound funky, they lose their sex appeal. Sorta like a hot chick who farts and has bad breath... get what i'm saying? haha! Well please forgive my unknowingness, and any help would be appreciated >>

Sounds like a leak to me.

It could be vibrating on your “A” frame

is it a puttering sound, and do the sounds pace gets faster as you rev you engine?

like do the putters get closer together as your engine revs?

-recneps+Oct 15, 2004 - 5:19 PM

Theres a leak somewhere, maybe use a breaker bar to tighten the bolts down more or try new gaskets.

>> I tightened the bolts as much as I could, and I put in new gaskets. The Sound is still there. It's weird cuz my dad just disconnected the downpipe and replaced the exhaust manifold gaskets for my brother's camry..... and the puttering noise also occured. And since the camry has the same 5sfe engine as my celi, and they both make puttering noises now, I'm guessing the problem began with when we took of the downpipes and replaced the gaskets. Has anybody else had any problems like this with their 5sfe or know how to fix it? I want my car to sound sexy again! >>

start your car, pop the hood and carefully hold your hand over every place that was disconnected and new gaskets installed. You can and will feel the exhaust leaking from the said leak. If you do not feel anything then I'd take it to a exhaust shop.

maybe you used some suck ass gaskets or something odd like that on accident. or maybe you over tightened them and cracked the gaskets.

just some thoughts.

This same thing happened to me when i was replacing my head gasket on my old car, the exhaust mani wouldnt seal, and it did the exact same thing. I used new gaskets, but after i torqued it down the first time, and it didnt seal, they were finished with. Make sure all of the old gasket material is off, as this will cause it to not seal. The second time around i used RTV grey gasket maker (supposedly for high temp and high torque gaskets, and used for imports... i dunno.) Try using that, and just make sure it has time to properly seal and harden up. That worked for me, hopefully that should work for you too.

>> The RTV gasket maker would not melt, disintegrate, or leak into the exhaust at all? Also, is there a certain amount of torque that needs to be used like
76 lbs, 80 lbs...etc?

Have you taken your car to a shop to look at it? High temp needs time to cure.