exhaust leak

[konastinky1234]

i am pretty sure i am having an exhaust leak on my tj right now but not 100% sure. it's got the usual symptoms and subsides as the engine warms up. i also read this could mean that the tappets need to be replaced? if anyone knows about that please speak up because i don't.

so next question, assuming it is exhaust and say for example my manifold is cracked or i have a shot cat would it be a worthwhile project/investment to redo the entire exhaust? the muffler is on its last legs and the pipes are rusting out too i am sure but haven't checked in a while. it's pretty expensive to do obviously but it may be worth it. i would need a manifold, cat, muffler, the usual piping, clamps, some weld, etc. anything else i missed?

any input appreciated

[1cleantj]

is the 2.5 cat part of the manifold or is it underneath like on the 4.0's ?

[konastinky1234]

im pretty sure it is underneath in front of the muffler but not sure as of now

[Schickos881]

cracked my stock header too, pretty common on tjs. I went with a banks header with new gasket, install was a PITA.

[bucketokarma]

Could also be that gasket where the down-pipe meets the header, that's where my leak always seems to come from...

[konastinky1234]

well it's going to have to stay leaking through the winter which isn't a big deal since i am away. just don't have the time to dig through all that on breaks. it will be a spring project, probably will just go through the entire thing looking for cracks or weak spots or rust. depending on how everything looks i may replace from the bottom up or just do the manifold or something. my dad said he wanted it done whatever it costs, and obviously i will save him a shit load doing it myself vs a shop doing it. hopefully he wants to do the entire thing