Running without Exhaust
 

My 6 has an oil leak (yeah, yeah, they all leak). With the exhaust removed, I can see the lines and I think I see the problem, but before I replace an oil line, I want to see it leak.

But the entire exhuast is off the car. Other than it being loud, is there anything really bad about running the engine for a few minutes without the headers attached?

James

I just drove my 912E up the street last night at midnight with no exhaust. It was a trial run with my new suspension. I can't really think of anything to worry about aside from noise. If the bottom of your engine is relatively clean without a lot of oil sludge, the heat from the exhaust ports probably won't ignite anything.

As it was, we took a fire extinguisher with us. I know for a fact that at idle, there were four to six inch flames shooting out of my exhaust ports. I can't imagine what it looked like to the guy behind me, in the dark, at WOT!

The noise is quite loud. You might want earplugs but it's not like a jet engine or anything.

Good luck,

David

Dont do it.
I have heard that this is a very good way to ruin your heads - 4 or 6 cylinder. Without a muffler I can see doing, but not without heat exchangers or headers. If an exhaust leak at the heads can cause heads to crack, think what open ports could do.
Scott S

I second Scott's reply. When you shut off the motor, cold air can warp an exhaust valve left in the open postion.