Screw it, played with this crap all weekend and asked around and headers just are not worth it imho on the JK. They are coming off tomorrow and the stock exhaust manifold is going back on.

I'll take my chances on it cracking and needing to be replaced under the factory warranty, at least I wont be burning up plug wires or anything else from the heat anymore.......hopefully

Mikey

 

and 5k miles later, time to replace the passenger side now

This sucks....I wonder if the latest stock replacements are any better quality????

 

Check engine light came on today . . . took it to my buddy at Napa.

Code is reading 420/430 exhaust leak or 02 sensor.

Lifted the hood and it ticks like a SOB.

I plan on pulling the heat shields to check for cracks this weekend.

 

When installing headers on anything you need to buy the heat shielding tape and wrap EVERYTHING exept the headers. If you do the header tape wrap, you can't get mud on it or the headers get wrecked quick. Ceramic coated headers pop and crack apart within mins of getting mud on them. You also need to vent the hood if you run headers or the brake fluid will get overheated and brake fade occurs. You can also get a special heat shield for your plug wires that are near the headers to prevent the melted wires.

 

My left (driver) side manifold cracked a long time ago. In fact, I had been telling this to a dealer in Minnesota for at least 4 visits! I finally drove it in, when it was really loud and requested the technician to come look at it while I parked in the service drive and left the engine running. They immediately agreed and it was replaced soon after!
Mine started as a ticking sound at start-up and when cold outside... Felt a loss of power as well.
Better for now, until I replace with headers or swap engine.

 

Where exactly are they cracking? I am deaf and can't hear well. So maybe if I know the right place to look, I can find out. My Dad's rubicon is LOUD as hell and I smell fumes, so I think it might be cracked on his? He denies it though.

 

I believe if your only hearing the tick tick at startup and then goes away after it warms up, its because the mainifold is expanding while heating up and just barely closing up the crack. "Micro stuff there"

If no crack is found, Then those cold start ticks are your valves waiting for the oil to cycle up from the bottom of your pan.

 

Mine are cracked. Dealership will have the new ones in a day or so. Get it fixed next week. I need new heat shields now too... since I just ripped them off instead of unbolting. If it were me I would just bend the shield back together... But, the dealership is going to put new ones on. Maybe that's so I won't be able to see them cracked again without tearing at them.

 

Take a look at the pictures in the previous posts on this tread. Mine cracked in the same places. Mine was loud only for the first few minutes and after warming up the noise goes away. The right side one was causing fumes for me....

The best way to check is take out the two top bolts that hold the heat shield on. If you let it warm up for a few minutes the bolts come out easier. Just wear some thick gloves so you don't get burnt. Then just pull the shield back enough to see behind it.

 

Shouldn't the poll options be Yes or Not Yet