Posted by rickyracer (IP: 208.51.233.208) on July 18, 2000 at 11:20:44:
In Reply to: Exhaust..... posted by Craig Selvey on July 18, 2000 at 08:17:43:
Most accurate is with a pressure gage. Just crawl under there and hit the muffler with your hand. If it rattles, it's probably plugged up. The rattle is all the guts, rusted out and floating around inside and plugging it up. Most mufflers are good for about 8 years, factory even less.
: I imagine the exhaust is the original. How do you tell if it is plugged up?
: =========================================
: : how old is the exhaust system, probably plugged up causing the engine to work harder, causing more heat.
: : : Here is my problem. I have a 1988 Ford F-250 with a 351W in it. The exhaust, in my opinion, is getting too darn hot. It literarly "cooked" and "baked" my brand new spark plug wires until they were so brittle they shorted out.
: : : I have replaced one "reed" valve and the hose that hooks up to it about a year ago (on the smog pump stuff). That hose is now hard as a rock.
: : : My thoughts....I replaced the thermostat with a 160 degree thermostat about a year ago. Maybe the computer thinks the engine is running too cold, so it increases the fuel mixture...making the exhaust get too hot.
: : : The truck has never overheated....just anything near the exhaust manifolds gets cooked.
: : : It runs pretty good "cold". Runs rough when warmed up. The check engine lite comes on and go off again.
: : : Any thoughts? (Please!!!)