00' F-250 SD SC 5.4 4X2

Finally got to 35K, so took the truck to the dealer for its 30K service. Told them I wanted them to check out the exhaust leak (hot or cold, only heard with load on the motor, never at idle) that's been getting louder. Well I guess I should buy them all hearing aids for X-mas. Had Clinton flashbacks, hearing all kinds of double talk (that depends on what you mean by "leak"). They said they couldn't see or find anything. Took test drive with the head service honcho, he had me put my foot over the tail pipe while he looked under the truck. Same story. He finally admitted to hearing something after I put it in gear, held the brake, and gave it some juice. Told me that it was exhaust coming out ot the weep hole on the back of the muffler and that it was normal. I told him I sure would feel better if we could listen to another truck back at the dealership. He obliged, but forgot his hearing aid. The other truck sounded so much better with no acknowledgement from him. After I got home, got a buddy to recreate the sound. I am pretty sure it is coming from the Y-pipe. There is a section that appears to have the wall thickness doubled up. I suspect it has a leak somewhere on the interior wall and is finding a way out under load.

Has any body else had fun with this? With only 35K? Should I think about putting duals under it? Why did my dealer not want to take my money? What does it all mean? Anyway, who makes a quality aftermarket stock style (non-hyperformance) exhaust?

 

Blue Collar,
I hear exactly what you describe on my '00 5.4. I even had the y-pipe replaced under warranty on a TSB. I still hear what sounds like a major leak as well under load. Same thing, quiet at idle but under load sounds like a hole somewhere. We finally have a Ford dealership in town again and they are soon to open their service so I am going to try them out. The old dealership I was going to will never see me again. Matter of fact, it has really given me a bad feeling about Ford in general.

Jeff

 

You know its funny you mention this. I had my truck in for the same thing at around 10,000 niles and they told me the same thing, it sounds normal. Hmmm......

 

Interesting, I hear what seems to be an exhaust leak (heard under load). Never looked into it.

 

I have what sounds like what you guys have. I notice it much more on start up when cold or at least cool. I had my bro crawl under the truck to try to locate the source and he told me it stops when the motor is off. Ha ha.

Seriously, he couldn't pin point the leak. It sounds to me like an exhaust manifold, but we just couldn't pin point it. Hopefully I will be upgrading to an Oal Burner soon and won't have to worry about this truck. I will keep tabs on this thread incase you solve the problem.

Big

 

why dont you just change the Y pipe. It will only run you about $175 and you can ge much better performance.

 

I did under warranty but it had no effect whatsoever. I too was told it was a normal sound for this model but I have yet to hear it on any others.

 

flutter! We V-10 guys have been plagued with it! there are 2 causes 1 the heat and dust shield on the tranny. Bend it some! if that does not do it then the Y-pipe is the old style. But for most of use the trans shield was the fix.

 

I don't have a problem with changing the Y-pipe except that someone else will have to do it, I have too many irons in the fire. That's one of the reasons I had hoped that my local "family" friendly "ford" (there is a meaning there) was going to tell me that it or something else needed to be replaced. That and the money it would have cost (have the premium Ford extended warranty which doesn't cover the exhaust) would have been fine with me. However, while it was there, they said it was fine. With the above posts, I'm wondering if the quality control is suspect with the factory y-pipes and I would be better off with aftermarket parts?

 

First try the trans shield, I had my Y pipe relaced and it did nothing. As for after market. By all means use that the ford is a T and it is necked down at the connection so you have to be loosing power. Go look at it IMO it is pure stupid. A muffler shop sould be able to fix it for just a few bucks.

 

Daimon,
My concern w/ bending is getting extra gunk in there. You see, my truck sees a LOT of mud & gunk. I didn't get it for pavement pounding but to actually be used as a truck. As long as I know I don't have a leak that can cause some damage it doesn't bother me enough to possibly invite new problems. I found by cranking up the tunes the problem goes away. Hehehe

Jeff

 

I drive mine in the oil field and put it through hell. A slight bend will not kill you. I do not mean big bends just grab it with a pliers and bend it some. Twist it a little. OK I'm not sober just now so forgive the spelling worse than normal and grammer. Just a slight bend should fix the problem.

 

I right there with you at the moment! I'll give it a shot tomorrow morning. So what do you think is the cause, a vibration or echo from the plate?

 

daimon1054 hit the nail right on the head.You can also take off the cover and make a new one out of something a little thicker.I made mine out of stainless.I wouldnt let the dealer replace your y-pipe.They will put in a more restrictive one and you will lose power and milage.I have been there.For $50 to $70 you can have your local exahust shop fab up a less restrictive y-pipe.Check out my gallary.

 

WOW I can see the keys again
nickdoni is right in that it is to thin and the bolts are on the outside and not in the center. This causes a harmonic resonance. The panel then vibrates against the mounting.

P.S. never buy a 4 dollar bottle of 36 MONTH old scotch!!!!!