96 GTX exhaust water and exhaust leaks

[blkrvrbart]

Hey everybody. My 96 GTX is leaking exhaust through a blown connector hose between the header and cooling tank. Got that one figured out. The exhaust manifold has a small hole in the bottom welded in plug (freeze plug?), spewing water into the hull. Can I TIG weld this hole? What causes this to happen? Thanks

 

[racerxxx]

I'm assuming the hose that blew was the one that connects the lower pipe to the water box. If so, make sure the water control valve on the water box is working properly and not leaking. When they go bad the water does not inject into the exhaust to cool it in the lower pipe and the hot exhaust melts/breaks down the coupler causing it to fail. Yes you can tig that plug, I sell caps to replace the original ones. Grind the old cap off and weld on my new ones.

 

[blkrvrbart]

Well the water and exhaust leaks are fixed. Migged the manifold and bought a 2" heavy duty radiator hose for the water box hose. Haven't gone back in the water. Runs great out of the water. Pulled a compression test and got 100 psi identically on both cylinders. Worth even going back to try it in the water? Just for grins and frustration I might try it.

 

[blkrvrbart]

Full rebuild or top end? Any opinions?

 

[digital sol]

Well the water and exhaust leaks are fixed. Migged the manifold and bought a 2" heavy duty radiator hose for the water box hose. Haven't gone back in the water. Runs great out of the water. Pulled a compression test and got 100 psi identically on both cylinders. Worth even going back to try it in the water? Just for grins and frustration I might try it.

Did you run the test WOT after the engine was warm or cold? Are we positive that gauge isn't off? Cold engine numbers are usually lower, ive heard as much as 20-30 psi

 

[blkrvrbart]

Cold at WOT. Gauge agrees with my tire pressure gauge and gauge on my compressor. I'll try it warmed up when more time to mess with it comes along and post again. Thanks

 

[Coastiejoe]

Cold is the correct procedure for base numbers.