Strange sound from headers under load but not a leak....

So I just instaled some Doug Thorley headers on my 2002 3.4L and now I am hearing a funny sound from it. I had a Toyota tech do the instale for me and we both checked for any leaks and tightened all bolts and nuts properly. At first I was thinking it was a leak but after doing some reaserch on hear I am thinking it may be air just moving around in the larger headers since the V6 is not pushing enough air to fill them. What do you guys think? Has anyome had any experience with after market headers and this? Thanks for any info and sorry for the newb question I am just concerned about this sound and do not want it to be a leak that will cause damage to the motor.

Also this sound only comes when I am on the gas and RPM's are around 2000 and 3500prms you can't really hear any signs of a leak under idel. The reason I think and hope it is just the air passing through is because you can hear it really good in the cab and the pipe crosses right over the transmision and the sound comes from right by the dash.

 

Anyone

 

do you have any aftermarket intake installed also? air filter? sounds like with the new aftermarket headers, you're just hearing more torques.

 

I have the stock intake with a K&N drop in filter that is all. I guess with the lighter material that the headers are made of that that is what I am hearing. With my head as close as I can get you can hear a noise at idle that almost sounds like a leak but like I said we both checked it many of times. Maybe I am just over analyzing it and being to worried I will sea foam it and that will tell me all.

 

Bump

 

I also hear a noise from behind the driver's side dash that sounds almost like an exhaust leak, and only under load. The truck is still stock (as far as I know) so I'm not sure if this is a normal sound or not.

 

Think you have a minor crack and when you get that certain pressure on it it makes the noise?

 

Dang that is not what I wanted to hear So do you think it would be a crack on the header or on the block?

 

I'm not saying it is or isn't, I'm just trying to think why the sound would go away when its under less load. Odds are its probably something minor, I wouldn't stress to much about it.

 

At idle when you put your head under the fender and listen you can hear a faint sound. Not a leak I know what a leak sounds like I had one on my mustang but its almost like the exhaust is just bouncing around in the header before exiting is the best way I can explain it. I hope it is not a major or minor problem and its just with bigger headers the air moves around more as I am about to SC the truck.

 

hmm.... bump good luck keep us updated

 

Yea I hope it is nothing serious. I will seafoam in the next few weeks and that will let me know a lot about what is going on. I will keep updates.

 

Just wanted to give some input as this is a pretty common nuance when switching to aftermarket headers. The sound you are hearing is the sound of two things combined. 1.) More exhaust gases exiting 2.) Thinner lightweight aluminum compared to the stock headers.

Most cases the sound almost sounds like a whirling, leaking, tinny sound if that could describe it. What I would do is just double check the header bolts after a few hundred of running it and call it a day. Seafoam has absolutely nothing to do with what you are hearing, nor is it a remedy.

 

See others have also said the same as you and on my mustang I had it was a very familiar sound. I do need to re-check the bolts as I have put several hundred miles since the instal. The only reason I was gonna seafoam was since it smokes see if any smoke was coming out of the leaks if there are any.

 

^ Gotcha. Well Seafoam is good stuff for your fuel system so I'd recommend you do it anyways.

 

^what he said. i have thorleys and thought the same thing when i first installed them. so when i went back for a check up, the guy said the same thing. no worries bro you should be fine

 

Well that is great news. So yours made a funny sound too? I still want to seafoam just have not had time to do it yet.