I think I have an exhaust leak in a 1999 S-10.

ANONYMOUS

MEMBER
1999 CHEVROLET BLAZER
176,500 MILES

I think I have an exhaust leak in a 1999 s10 blazer lt 4x4 4 door. The loudest spot I can hear the exhaust noise at cold start and idle, is the passenger side right behind the front tire. On cold mornings where you can see the exhaust smoke prior to warming up I cannot see anything coming from this area. Non mechanic types have suggested either the y pipe, or where the y pipe meets the header. Would both have to be replaced to fix this problem? And how intensive is this to fix? Meaning would the whole motor have to be pulled to remove the entire exhaust piping to have it fixed? Thank you

1 Reply

DRCRANKNWRENCH

MECHANIC
3,380 POSTS

Y pipes usually have a donut that can go bad. You will have to get a chain whip saw, which you can get on loan form any Advance Auto ro Auto Zone, and cut out the section of pipe and disconnect it at the flange. Make sure you soak the flange bolts as long as possible and wipe them off the remove rust so they don't break. Use WD40 or PB Blaster is even better. The to re0-install you will have to get aa pipe adapeter to make up for the section where you sut it unless you have acess to a welder.
It is not a hard job, just tediuous and it can be frustrating. The best thing to make it easy is to soak and wipe the flange bolts as much as possible and at least let it soak ovenight once. The more you do this the better.