Is This An Example of a Cracked Header? | FerrariChat
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Is This An Example of a Cracked Header?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by JoeG54, Nov 22, 2004.

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  1. JoeG54

    JoeG54 Karting

    Aug 24, 2004
    183
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Joe G
    #1 JoeG54, Nov 22, 2004
    Can anyone explain the "sound" of a cracked header? Or alternatively, perhaps I can explain what I'm hearing, and someone can tell me if it sounds like a problem they've experienced...

    When driving, and with the engine at non-idle speeds (e.g. 4K rpm), when I let off the accelerator, I don't hear anything that seems out of normal. But then when I _very slightly_ apply pressure back on the accelerator (just barely moving it forward, with very little, if any, increase in engine rpm), I hear a muffled gurgling sound.

    Is this the "sound" of the cracked header problem? It's interesting, because it only sounds when I put pressure back on the accelerator (after letting off it), and then only slight pressure -- as if by doing so the throttle linkage somehow "opens a valve of some type" (if that makes sense).

    Thanks very much in advance for any help with this.

    Joe
     
  2. RussF

    RussF Karting

    Nov 1, 2003
    222
    Washington
    #2 RussF, Nov 22, 2004
    Perhaps you could tell us what model you have!!!
     
  3. JoeG54

    JoeG54 Karting

    Aug 24, 2004
    183
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Joe G
    #3 JoeG54, Nov 22, 2004

    Sorry - I have a 355. Thanks.
     
  4. DIGMAN52

    DIGMAN52 F1 Rookie
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Jan 30, 2004
    4,108
    Dallas Texas
    Full Name:
    Philip C
    #4 DIGMAN52, Nov 22, 2004
    When mine went, it sounded like a spitting sound each time the cylinder in that area hit. I thought it was just a bad gasket, but no such luck. The sound you are describing might be the burbling noise you get when you let off the throttle, which I think is one of the plusses of the ferrari sound. If your headers go bad, and they will, send them to QV in England to redo them with better materials than the cheap factory stuff. Call Ferrarichat sponsor Norwood Performance in Dallas who fixed mine.
     
  5. SCarFan

    SCarFan Rookie

    Sep 22, 2004
    28
    Las Vegas, NV
    Full Name:
    Carlton Geer
    #5 SCarFan, Nov 22, 2004
    Joe,

    I am not a mechanic but I did ask the mechanic for my car, a 1998 355 F1 Berlinetta about cracked manifolds and headers, etc. His response was, "you must be reading Ferrarichat". Which I am a big fan of doing...

    He said, "don't worry you'll know when the header goes, so don't worry about every little sound".

    The sound you are describing sounds like the exhaust by-pass valve which is related to the catalytic converter. I get a burble noise at times as well. I believe it is an indigenous noise.

    So I wouldn't worry about it...
     
  6. Capt

    Capt Karting

    Nov 9, 2003
    222
    North of Boston
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #6 Capt, Nov 24, 2004
    The way that my mechanic knew they were cracked on my 355 was the evidence of the packing material (that is inside the header) showing up on the engine and engine compartment. I was told that is the tell tale sign that they have finally blown through.

    -Michael
     
  7. billh

    billh Karting

    May 2, 2002
    208
    central mass
    Full Name:
    Bill Henderson
    #7 billh, Nov 24, 2004
    There is no packing material inside the header. Its probably insulating material between the headers and the heat shield.

    Bill
     
  8. Capt

    Capt Karting

    Nov 9, 2003
    222
    North of Boston
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #8 Capt, Nov 26, 2004
    Yes, it is the insulation material that is used *between* the header tubes and the heat shield. When the headers crack, the exhaust gases escape through the crack (instead of through the header tube and out the exhaust) and find their way out of the heat shield and take the insultation material with it. When we looked in my engine compartment you could see where the material was escaping from the shield and where it was accumulating on the block and various engine componenets.

    -Michael
     
  9. JoeG54

    JoeG54 Karting

    Aug 24, 2004
    183
    Bay Area, CA
    Full Name:
    Joe G
    #9 JoeG54, Nov 26, 2004
    Thank you everyone for your very helpful comments on this issue. I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving.

    Joe
     
  10. Michael Collins

    Michael Collins Formula Junior

    Apr 6, 2004
    272
    Shanghai/Melbourne
    #10 Michael Collins, Nov 26, 2004
    The header on my 308 QV (euro) is cracked and boy can you tell, the noise is much louder and not so sweet, secondly when your decelerate it sucks air in through the crack and you get small back fires. I also think the performance is affected but that could be just because the noise is not normal.

    It is a winter job for as I have to get the engine out anyway, (difficult to remove the front header on a 308 with the engine in the car)
     
  11. delaney

    delaney Formula Junior

    Nov 8, 2003
    721
    Montgomery TX
    Full Name:
    PETER DELANEY
    #11 delaney, Nov 26, 2004
    Joe,

    I have a Tubi on my 355 Spider and I get a bit of a gurgle when I also apply a slight amount of pressure on the accelerator. Took it to the main dealer when I first got the car and he said .. normal for a non standard (Tubi etc) exhaust.

    Regards,


    Pete
     

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