Exhaust leak?
 

For the last few weeks I have been smelling what smells like exhaust after boosting for a while. I took off my heatshield today and its been blackended, this means I have a leak right there, right? If so, how can i fix it? DO i have to replace the gasket seal, or is there anything i can do w/o ripping apart the whole damn thing? Heres a pic...
http://mediaservice.photoisland.com/...5171598771.jpg

Re:Exhaust leak?
 

Im pretty sure that is what you have. I had the same problem with my manifold. It wasnt the gasket, it was the bolts not being secured enough. I had to use lock tite. Obviously its not a huge leak if its been going on for a couple weeks and you just noticed it. Check to see if your gasket is cracked.

Re:Exhaust leak?
 

Something is not truly flat, either the manifold surface or the turbo inlet exhaust housing. This is why people use gaskets between these surfaces, and I do recommend getting the bolts extremely tight!

Jeff

Re:Exhaust leak?
 

I think the leak is coming right between the exhaust housing on the turbo and the downpipe, somehwhere around there. Thats gona be a bitch to get at too cause i still have my ac. ;p Do you guys think its "THAT" big of deal, or could i just wait until I have to take all that ---- apart anyway? What are your opinions?

Re:Exhaust leak?
 

If you don't have a gasket inbetween the turbo and manifold flange..you're leakin' there.
When we installed the turbo on my friends car we bought a few sheets of thick metaal gasket to make some gaskets.
At some places we even put 2 layers and tight the bolts really tight. not even a bend flange can leak if you have enough gasket and a bad ass torque wrench 8)