GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hey everyone,Just got my DC Sports Header installed and noticed a couple of things which made me have questions.1. did anyone have a rattle after the install frm the header vibrating the bottom heat shield around the joint?2. What does it sound like on your car? does it sound like it may have a leak?3. Is there a break in period as to when it needs tightening again?Thanks for your help.

I don't know specifically about the DC Header, but I have a couple ideas that might help. Did you replace both the donut gasket, and the head-to-manifold gasket? And is the header ceramic coated? if so, then you don't even really need those heat shield if they're giving you rattling problems.

yeah forsure check if you put your original donut gasket on the DC and we..yea what tcam said about ceramic coating.

I've had mine for 6-7 months.1. No rattles.2.Mine leaked on the first 2 tries and then I torqued down the header to exhaust connection with the system red hot (donut).3.Any header should be re-torqued after 200 miles and then check it every few months after that.

Quote, originally posted by Sunny »I've had mine for 6-7 months.1. No rattles.2.Mine leaked on the first 2 tries and then I torqued down the header to exhaust connection with the system red hot (donut).3.Any header should be re-torqued after 200 miles and then check it every few months after that.how did u detect ur leak? u just put ur ear up to the header or something?

from what i hear when it leaks it makes a loud hissing noise...like a rattle snake is all up in your engine trying to steal powa

Quote, originally posted by tcam »how did u detect ur leak? u just put ur ear up to the header or something?Mine was quiet until you pressed hard on the gas pedal and all of a sudden it sounded like a truck with no exhaust. You would not want your ear anywhere near it. A less severe hissing or ticking sound usually indicates a leak in the manifold gasket and is usually present even when idling.

DC headers are loud. Try retorquing and driving for a bit then rechecking. And the heat shield can be removed.

Thanks everyone,It is ceramic coated. I moved up the heat shield around the donut and no effect so I took it in. Turns out when I first installed my Magnaflow exhaust I had pushed it too far forward and one of the bends was touching the shield. That got fixed and now no more rattle. I notice a hissing however I can not detect any leaks and it could be I just need to get used to the sound which is a lot deeper. I had the exhaust guy retorque everything down and now no issues.Thanks for everyone's help and suggestions, I really appreciated it!!! The system appears to be purring quite nice now can't wait to open her up on the track soon.