it;s my 88 turbo a/t full time 4wd wagon , took it to a shop , they put in better bolts, it worked fine but 2 weeks later loud again , so i have been tighting up 1 bolt passanger side inner 1 , the other bolt was helicoiled , but now the gasket is blown out and is loud again, i know the shop will charge me again , so far 140.00 bucks, 120 bucks ,15 bucks, . and course it affects mpg , power etc,,, any help ?

i had what seemed to be the same problem a few years back on my rx.. is it blowing the gaskets at the head? that is where mine had the problem, each week i was replacing the gaskets.. car sounded like a lawnmower.. the solution to my problem was a new header (if thats what i can call it) the shop ordered a new oem at 174.00 and viola... never had the problem again.. they said the original was warped

 

i imagine you could probably find a good one at a PaP for alot less..

 

 

rllywgn

i have a spare off another turbo motor , that is what i was thinking also ,thanks

does anyone know where i can get a a cross pipe for a 88 turbo a/t wagon at ? i have a used one ,but not sure if it is not wrapped, if i take it to a shop again they may fix it ,but may keep on blowing gaskets again

The pipes get stubborn as they get older. Keeping the pipe by cutting one end of one connection into the y-pipe and let it sit contently will give an idea of how much it wanted. My old 87 actually made a popping noise to spring less than .25 inch revealing its self battle.Rewelding after the cut lasted a long time for my similar problem.I also ended up with large exhaust studs before the pipe bacame content again.

to get the stubborn old pipes to work is a good idea ... they will last the life of the car if you can acheive it, and no burn holes from a good running engine.

Jim:

If you have an extra pipe that's off the car, you could take it in to a machine shop and grind that surface down perfectly smooth. Then, you can just have the exhaust shop swap those pipes out.

I'm wondering though, if maybe you might have some warpage on the head itself. It would have to be pretty serious, as the gasket usually seals any slight irregularities. The exhaust guy should be able to tell (after he drops the pipe) by laying a straight edge across the ports.

 

good luck, John

Which gaskets are you using? Aftermarket or OEM? There are a lot of really poor aftermarket exhaust flange gaskets out there. If you haven't done so already, try a set of OEM gaskets.

thanks will try oem , also a lock washer on the bolt

I used four Rock Gaskets (two on each side). Never leaked again. The gaskets a the perferated (sp) steel ones.