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My thread regarding exhaust took a turn ( https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...4-exhaust.html )and I'm now investing money in the right places to ensure the Ex is running well. As I was completing the 6637 mod, I decided to take a look at my boots. I'm fairly certain this is indicative of a leak, but before I drop another $100+, I wanted to make sure I'm on the right path. FWIW, I cleaned up the hot side with some Simple Green, dried everything off, and used hair spray to try and seal the boots before tightening it all back down. Here are the pics, please let me know what you think/what you would do at this point. For those who are interested and don't have time for the other post, the bottom line is I'm going to replace the downpipes, rebuild the turbo with a WW2 and rebuild kit, reinforce the plenum tubes and put on new boots there, and install an EGT sensor while I'm at it. I got the truck with 187k miles on it and simply put, it was not what was advertised on the web (though at this point it was still a pretty decent deal).
I really doubt that you need new boots, those look pretty dirty & oil soaked but should clean up well. Check out info on a boost leak detector, it will let you put a little air pressure & with a little soapy water will tell you if/where you have any boost leaks. I'd take the intercooler tubes & boots off & clean everything up good when you do the plenum tube reinforce deal.
Those boots definitely appear to be leaking. Its a known wear item, and the caked on crud directly ahead/behind the boots confirms it.
I recently replaced mine with a set from RiffRaff, along with the plenum reinforcements. Do yourself a favor and buy new, slightly larger t-bolt clamps. I re-used the stock ones, and they were a major pain in the you-know-what. the new boots are thicker, and the stock clamps BARLEY squeeze over them. it makes it very difficult to position them where you want them, vs where they just get "stuck".
I just found out that my local NAPA actually has very inexpensive stainless t-bolt clamps, so I will be changing them the next time they come off.
Thanks guys. In an attempt to save money I'm trying the temp fix. I cleaned them with a lot of Simple Green this morning, used some mega hold hair spray to lube and seal the connections on the way back together, and I'm already seeing a small improvement(5-6psi compared to my precious 3-4). The cold side had a small bit of oil that was past the clamp when I pulled it so that was an easy find to confirm a leak. Hopefully next weekend I'll be able to get another 15-20 psi with the down pipes, rebuild, plenum, and mechanical blow off valve.
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.
