Exhaust Leak Affecting Idle?

[73ess]

I'm selling my '74 2.0. One interested buyer came by and stated that it has an exhaust leak. It is pretty noisy, but thought it might be the bursh exhaust on it. He didn't think so. The car does idle low and is stalling at stoplights, after warmed up. Would an exhaust leak cause this?

How do I find the leak? Likely a gasket that needs to be replaced?

[Alfred1]

I doubt that an exhaust leak would affect the idle on our old cars - probably not even on a modern car unless maybe it's turbocharged.

[Bleyseng]

Actually it can usually you just have to tighten the nuts down on the heat exchangers where they bolt to the head. Could also be where the heat exchanger bolts to the muffler as those fall apart and leak alot.

Geoff

[24flys]

i think vaccuum leaks can also affect the idle. you might try looking for any leaks there too.

scotty

[914fan]

Yes an exhaust leak will cause a low on no idle. It also changes the vacume signature. Sealing up the exhause brought up my idle 400rmp when cold and almost 700 when warm

[Alfred1]

So, would adding a low restriction exhaust like the Tangerine Racing header to a stock 2.0L reduce the exhaust back-pressure enough to affect the vacuum signal and idle?

[914fan]

My idle changed a little when I went from a Monza to a bursch exhaust. I found the change was more in the midrange then in the idle.
The monza was restrictive. Maby more so than stock. But it sounded soooo good...