Yesterday, when I finally got my truck started up after a month and a half, I noticed exhaust venting into the engine compartment. It was fairly chilly outside, so the exhaust system was blowing the typical cold day white cloud. It was definitely not smoke or burning of any kind. It smelled like exhaust fumes typically smell immediately after startup (that slightly rich fuel smell), and did not smell like burning oil or any other engine fluid.

It was venting up from the back of the engine, in the space between the engine and the firewall. What should I check to find the source of this exhaust leak? Is it likely something loose, or would it be more likely to be an exhaust component rusted through?

Since getting the truck I've known it would need some exhaust work at some point (it's pretty loud, and not in the nice, intentional way ). Loud exhaust doesn't bother me too much, but I definitely want it to be venting behind the vehicle, not in front of the cabin!

Thanks for your help!

 

Likely a broken or rusted tube on the air injection manufold at the back of the motor, tape a piece of mirror to a stick and have a look in behind the motor, the tube that goes between the heads and everything attached to it is what you're looking at.