Cracks in front or rear cats, where to search ?

[spongebob]

Long time ago I had my boxtser in for service and also PPI inspection.
So far i have managed to fix everything mentioned in the PPI like a new clutch, defect cruise control etc... I was also told that I have cracks in the cats and that they needed to be welded for a huge amound of $$$. I can hear some ticking when the engine is cold and I am pretty sure that it is an exhaust leak. But it is impossible to see or feal anything from below during the minute when it is ticking. Does anyone have experience from where the cats might crack and where i should start to search. I do not even know if it is the front or rear cats that are supposed to be welded ( my 2000 ).

[Jake D]

I personally think the best way to find an exhaust leak which isnt always obvious is to go buy a cheap stethoscope from Autozone/etc. I bought one last week for the same reason, a pesky ticking sound from my exhaust. It cost me $10. It comes with a long metal rod which can be used to trace down other engine noises.

What you would do once you buy one is take the metal rod part off so that you have nothing on the end of the hose. You can blow into it or put it by the muffler to hear how loud it can be when air moves across it. Jack the car up, craw underneath and start moving the hose around to all the exhaust joints first (anywhere there is a union of pipes whether that be between flanges, head, or clamps).. from there you could search the cats to see if you find any cracks. If its just a gasket, replace it. If its the cats, decide if you want to have them welded or buy some by-pass one or???

Just be aware the hose is rubber and you're checking hot exhaust pipes, so it can melt. Mine did some.

Hope that helps some

[spongebob]

Thanks for the info Jake D, guess that this is the best way to do it.
I have tried to locate the leak with my fingers but it gets warm in less than a minute so you have to be fast. The stethoscope will be a better solution.
I did a search for stethoscope and ended up in an article where doctors used Iphones as stethoscopes but that app is probably not invented for cars (yet) so I will have to find a regular one.The stethoscope will also give me some possibilities to listen to the IMS until I have it done

[spongebob]

Hmmm, took a while but the cracks are found.
Homemade pressure test bench and soapwater solved problem.Two outer pipes cracked at flange
No more ticking sound at cold start after welding the cracks

Hopefully next troubleshooting will be done in shorter time

[PorscheFan5]

This is what JakeD is talking about...cant beat the price...I have used this on my cars for many years...

Mechanic's Stethoscope