Finally Happened to Me, THE DREADED CRACKED HEADER!!
#17
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
WHOA!!!
I think I want to confirm here.
Members with CONFIRMED cracks:
BA
TeeLex
TAMR GUS98
Dr. G
Slowdriver
wow. well, it does suck, but, we are blazing new trails here and it does make the car faster around town for sure. In the tech world, we call it "bleeding edge".
Good luck in the fixes everyone! At least it's something you can plan for and not get stranded by it happening.
I think I want to confirm here.
Members with CONFIRMED cracks:
BA
TeeLex
TAMR GUS98
Dr. G
Slowdriver
wow. well, it does suck, but, we are blazing new trails here and it does make the car faster around town for sure. In the tech world, we call it "bleeding edge".
Good luck in the fixes everyone! At least it's something you can plan for and not get stranded by it happening.
#18
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
WHOA!!!
I think I want to confirm here.
Members with CONFIRMED cracks:
BA
TeeLex
TAMR GUS98
Dr. G
Slowdriver
wow. well, it does suck, but, we are blazing new trails here and it does make the car faster around town for sure. In the tech world, we call it "bleeding edge".
Good luck in the fixes everyone! At least it's something you can plan for and not get stranded by it happening.
I think I want to confirm here.
Members with CONFIRMED cracks:
BA
TeeLex
TAMR GUS98
Dr. G
Slowdriver
wow. well, it does suck, but, we are blazing new trails here and it does make the car faster around town for sure. In the tech world, we call it "bleeding edge".
Good luck in the fixes everyone! At least it's something you can plan for and not get stranded by it happening.
Wow, that is one list I would rather not be on. Sorry to hear of the troubles guys as we all know the installation process is involved to say the least. Especially the 400 series.
This must really get a few people worried that have these installed.
Anyone know how to tell 1st gen vs 2 gen? I did not get in on the GB but a few months after as I wanted to hear some initial feedback first. For some reason I think I have the 2nd gen unit.
Lee
#20
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
Well, I do know that mine does have a different flange weld/ vs the older versions. Just hope I have the newer welds up top as well. Mine is stamped 47.
Here are pics of mine in this post.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...header+install
Jbrady, do you know if these are the newer improved headers?
Lee
Here are pics of mine in this post.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...header+install
Jbrady, do you know if these are the newer improved headers?
Lee
#21
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
LOL! Dude, you got me. I'm the one that found that problem so that they could fix it. I forgot about that.
So, you are correct in that a later batch did incorporate that fix, but I gotta stick by my statement for this newer problem with the cracking. Sadly, I was the first guy to find that too, and that was only in September of this year.
Perhaps I'm just bad luck? hahahaaaa
EDIT: I read your old thread. Now I remember reading it some time ago. Excellent stuff. You and I ROCK!! lol.
So, you are correct in that a later batch did incorporate that fix, but I gotta stick by my statement for this newer problem with the cracking. Sadly, I was the first guy to find that too, and that was only in September of this year.
Perhaps I'm just bad luck? hahahaaaa
EDIT: I read your old thread. Now I remember reading it some time ago. Excellent stuff. You and I ROCK!! lol.
Last edited by BA_GS400; 12-13-06 at 10:04 PM.
#22
Lexus Champion
Well, I do know that mine does have a different flange weld/ vs the older versions. Just hope I have the newer welds up top as well. Mine is stamped 47.
Here are pics of mine in this post.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...header+install
Jbrady, do you know if these are the newer improved headers?
Lee
Here are pics of mine in this post.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...header+install
Jbrady, do you know if these are the newer improved headers?
Lee
Yours are the redesign with the weld on the inside of the 3 bolt flange. However, this change was made to accommodate the protrusion from the catalysts and really does not effect the problem area.
I have a feeling what is happening here is stress related. Many Japanese and domestic factory exhaust systems use a flex somewhere in the exhaust. The V8 Lexus cars do not. They do have a brace at the bottom of the catalysts. I HOPE everyone kept that brace? Anyway, without a flex the components must absorb any twist and expansion. The crack is NOT the weld itself, the crack is in the metal next to the weld. Welding heat tempers the metal making it more brittle next to the weld. I think we are seeing the effects of the engine torquing/twisting/moving coupled with expansion from heat. This is VERY hard to predict. If I am right a flex from the factory or aftermarket may be the true fix here. We shall see.
Last edited by JBrady; 12-14-06 at 08:05 AM.
#23
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (14)
I think the 2nd batch/version started w/ the weld on the inside of the 3 bolt flange.
Is this correct Jbrady?
I believe mine were a 2nd batch header and mine are welded on the inside.
One thing that is consistent though, all five that have been reported is on the passenger side.
Is this correct Jbrady?
I believe mine were a 2nd batch header and mine are welded on the inside.
One thing that is consistent though, all five that have been reported is on the passenger side.
#24
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Called and left a message with Loren yesterday regarding my issue with the cracked right side header. He promptly returned my call today, asked if my car was a daily driver (yes) and obliged to sending a new header out within a week upon which I will be returning the cracked header once the swap is completed at my shop.
#26
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Lots of good information for those who have had this happen and need to know more. Alot of consistencies and failure analysis. Maybe we need to ask the mods if we can make this a sticky. That way we can all be on the same page on this matter. What do you guys think.
-Will
Btw, still patiently waiting to hear from Loren.
-Will
Btw, still patiently waiting to hear from Loren.
#28
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I guess you could call and talk to Loren Barnes at S&S Headers. Ask them if they can send you an updated passenger side header or if they can reweld yours if you send it back. Make sure you refer him to this thread. Here is their contact info.
S&S Headers Inc.
6042 N. 53rd Dr.
Glendale, AZ. 85301-7775
623-847-9000
loren@ssheaders.com
#29
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Update!
Finally got around to calling S&S and talked to a very nice lady named Betty. She said that they are in the process of building more of our headers. They will be sending me a replacement passenger header as they become available. Probabley won't get it untill January, which is understandable, IMO, due to the Holidays. I will post up as things develope. Hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
-Will
-Will
#30
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
I started mine up this morning-very cold-and heard a tick from that side of the car. A quick inspection did not reveal much but I will have to take a closer look. If one is shot then I will just pull them both out and be done with it so hopefully it is the troublesome flange gasket instead.