Locating an Exhaust Leak

For a short while now I have been noticing my fuel milage taking more of a hit than it should and with the prices of gas what they are today anything to increase fuel mileage is a BIG DEAL! I have noticed a chirping or ticking sound coming from my engine bay, most noticeably at cold starts. My history with Jeep Cherokee (XJ) I have come to know this sound as the notorious exhaust leak from the cracked exhaust manifold. So this is leading me to find my exhaust leak.
follow along with the process I found online and wanted to share with you and maybe if you have an exhaust leak to this will help you find it!
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Video Bookmarks
1:03 Overview
2:34 Exhaust Leak Test Setup
5:08 Test
5:48 Findings & Expected Solutions
I hope you enjoy my video and find value in the content. Please leave me comments, questions, or feedback! I appreciate it!
We are VictorVectorJKU taking on this build and the trails with both Direction and Magnitude!
Thanks for watching!

[@projectbumblejeep4190]

I've never heard that exhaust leaks would affect fuel mileage. If your mileage has fallen off, I would also check the air filter as a dirty filter will lower fuel mileage. Great method for checking for leaks. God bless and stay well.

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Hey there Project Bumble Jeep, thanks for checking out my video! And yeah it effects the pressure of the exhaust system which can/will impact your fuel economy as well as increase emissions. And good point! I have a K&N filter and cleaned it recently after my trip from KOH!

[@EYE50MM]

Probably the best leak and tick diagnostics video! I started getting a very loud ticking from my driver side Jeep JKU and I am dreading it being the lifter. Now I hope it’s an exhaust leak. Thanks for sharing!

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Thanks for checking out my video Eye50mm! I am glad you found value in my video and I hope that tick you have is just an exhaust leak! 🤞🏼

[@GoatOffroad]

Great trick!!! Good job figuring it out! 🙌

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Thanks Bug! It definitely is!!

[@christopherfoose4682]

I used a shop towel in the exhaust pipe. It only took a minute it see it when i did mine. But this is better. Great video

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Hey there Chris, thanks for checking out my video! Yeah that’s definitely another way to do it! And thank you, I try to share the little tips and tricks I come across!

[@tonyklancar1101]

Smart. Ordered lifters and rockers today I had a Jeep tech come out into the lot and listen he said it was pretty sure to be a lifter tick on my 2012 but we also listened for exhaust leaks and I could hear a very faint phuttt phuttt.. the video that you made is brilliant

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Hey there Tony, thanks for checking out my video and I am glad you found it valuable! The lifter tick is definitely a common issue with the 3.6l but hopefully you get it all fixed up!

[@jasonpotter2730]

Your issues with your jeep sounds so similar to mine. I have had the check engine light on cylinder 1,3, &5. I did change the spark plugs, coils, fuel injectors, run a compression test, changed valve cover & pvc, changed rocker and lifters, and the light would still come on. Then I noticed my muffler will sound a little off. It felt like it hesitated every time. Anyhow thanks for your video I feel like I can relate to it.

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Hey there Jason, thanks for checking out my video! Interesting all the work you put into the engine and still had those codes come up! I didn’t have any codes just noticed noise increase and awareness of a leak but not knowing exactly where. I hope you have found the issue and resolved it!

[@BennyTygohome]

That was a pretty clever idea

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Yeah it definitely is! Thanks for checking out my video Benny!

[@davefunk6421]

Thanks for stone chips in my windshield trucks like yours, I have a truck myself tires are in the wheel well like there supposed to be that is way they have laws inconsiderate

[@VictorVectorJKU]

🤙🏼