I get a consistent sound upon start up once the car has been idle for a long period of time, (cold). It sounds like an exhaust leak. It isn't the exhaust flange flex pipe, (I already repaired that issue not long ago).

It's been happening often for the last few weeks. It almost sounds like a cracked exhaust manifold. But I cant really see any cracks unless I remove it. Have these cars been known for cracked exhaust manifolds as they age?

 

Don't know we've ever diag'd one one forum. Ever.
Doesn't mean it never happens....

I I will put the front of the vehicle up on jack stands and have a friend work the throttle while you are underneath. The obvious first place to check is the flex pipe. Last thing touched is often responsible for issues; while your repair may have fixed the original issue at hand, you may have inadvertently created another weakness which is now coming into play.

 

Yes the manifolds crack, it is rare to find one that has not cracked on the L61. My car has air injection into the manifold and the check valve had rotted through, that was the exhaust leak noise on my car. I had originally considered replacing the flex section.

 

Absolutely. That's always been my mantra. I've looked everywhere and found that they're easily available new. So that signals that this may perhaps be a "planned obsolescence" thing. Only thing is that hoisting that thing up under jack-stands prior to start up, and having someone give it a whirl while I squeeze my bloated belly under there to check for leaks is no fun at all. No fun at all....

 

I've never had an issue with a cracked manifold.
but again, anything is possible. I'd try the gaskets first. Theyre dirt cheap.
if you recently had the flex pipe done, id bet that is your culprit.

 

Perhaps. I did that work and that was the first thing I checked, (as Derf pointed out, 'last thing touched' should be the first thing checked). I checked a couple of times and did not feel any leaks. That gasket and flex pipe was a solid weld job I did back in 2017. But when I get a chance I'll get under there and eliminate or declare it as the problem. Just want to make sure the manifold is not one of those prone to cracking on this model Saturn.



My upgrade....