See my original thread here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...cant-tell.html

And a follow-up thread here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...aust-leak.html

So, I spent a couple of hours up at the shop searching. There really wasn't any sign of built up soot on the top part of the up-pipes near the baby's butt, but there was a bunch of crap around the area where the bottom of the up-pipes connect to the exhaust manifold. Not really ON the pipe or manifold, but on all the other components right around the connection. And it seemed to be kind of spread out all around the connection. I just changed my oil a couple of weeks ago and would've noticed all of this crud then, so it has to be new.

I also checked all of the boots and clamps and everything really seemed alright there.

I also checked the turbo and it seemed fine. No play really at all that I could tell in any direction (My fingers did get the turbo wheel oily, but the oil came from the CCV crap since I haven't done that mod yet so I figure that's ok).

The truck runs pretty well right now without hauling a load, which is more-or-less what I expected. Still louder than I think is normal though, just a sort of loud drone or moan.

So, after all this, what can you guys tell me? Would a leak down near the connection of the up-pipes and exhaust manifold cause the boost problems I was having towing my camper? And would it cause the extra noise I have been hearing for a while? I really appreciate all the help guys.

 

Without reading your other threads, have you built a boost leak detector to check for leaks?

 

No I haven't Chris. Would a boost leak detector show a leak down there as well?