I've got this great 1986 240 DL wagon with about 175,000 miles on it...suddenly it acquired a enjine noise that goes putt, putt, putt...as I step on the gas it goes faster and just slightly louder...thought it may have been air seeping thru manifold gasket yet I felt no excess air, unless I didn't look hard enough...any thoughts would help...I don't and won't send it in for a tax break...thanks ...ohdaddee

I have used a five-foot section of that black nylon pipe the hardware store sells as a detecting stethescope. Get something similar, it will help to pinpoint the noise source. The nylon is soft enough that if it touches something running, like a p/s pulley, no harm done.

My guess is that there is a small exhaust leak at the point where the down pipe bolts to the exhaust manifold.

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)

I vote for the exhaust leak too -- "up top" could mean one of the exhaust manifold ports. I've seen (heard) this when manifold nuts come loose.
--
Bruce Young,
940-NA (current)
'80 GLE V8 (Now gone)
'83 Turbo 245
'73 142 (98K)
'71 144 (track modified--and going to be crushed unless...)
New 144 from '67 to '78
Used '62 122 from '63 to '67

Pinging maybe?

Maybe give it a bit more gas before you shift gears.

See if running a higher grade of gas helps.