ROBinGa
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- February 16, 2014
- Messages
- 348
- Reaction score
- 31
- City, State
- Ga
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2003 Explorer XLT 4x4 4.6
Last year I had new Cat assembly replaced on my 2003 4.6. My son drives the Explorer and I seldom do anymore. About 3-4 months ago I noticed one day as he started it up that it had a tick tick tick exhaust sound and could tell it was on driver side. It sounded like an old beater 70s Pontiac putting and chugging. It would somewhat calm down after a minute or so and I figured as the parts heated and expanded they sealed leak a bit. I feared that the exhaust manifold itself may have cracked or had failed. Before I took the Explorer in to have I checked I thought I would tighten the nuts at connection from Cat exhaust tubing and the manifold.
There are 2 studs at that flange that face towards rear of truck and then a 15mm nut on each stud secures the Cat exhaust pipe to the manifold. I used a long extension and 15 mm impact socket on my cordless impact and hit both nuts. They did both turn noticeably and tightened down. I cranked her up and back to nice and quiet with no exhaust leak sound anymore. For good measure I crawled back under and hit the passenger side nuts as well. Time will tell but it’s back to sounding normal again and quiet
There are 2 studs at that flange that face towards rear of truck and then a 15mm nut on each stud secures the Cat exhaust pipe to the manifold. I used a long extension and 15 mm impact socket on my cordless impact and hit both nuts. They did both turn noticeably and tightened down. I cranked her up and back to nice and quiet with no exhaust leak sound anymore. For good measure I crawled back under and hit the passenger side nuts as well. Time will tell but it’s back to sounding normal again and quiet
