Have that friend put on an old pair of shoes, start up the vehicle and
wiggle under there.  (Some ramps under the rear wheels help here.)  Have
friend put the sole of his shoe on exhaust pipe.  If no leak, engine should
die.  Any leaks should quickly become apparent.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Tom Young                       '81 Vanagon
Lafayette, CA 94549         '82 Westfalia
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> I have done this in the past and it has indeed helped.  However, I am at a
> point now (after a cylinder head gasket replacement over the summer) where
I
> have followed these steps and I still seem to get some abnormal noise
> (louder than before) from the engine.  A friend has said it sounds like an
> exhaust leak (can't seem to find an obvious one), but I still think there
is
> some valve noise.  The van runs well, good acceleration, no hesitation...
> What would people recommend if the noise doesn't go away ?  I am thinking
of
> bringing it in to a mechanic and seeing if they can pinpoint a leak
> somewhere (there is only so much probing I am willing to do on my back
under
> a running van on jack stands).  Maybe I'll try MOM again (it is in there
> right now).  Any suggestions?