Mysterious exhaust leak on driver's side

[madmax032]

Good Morning!
I recently purchased my '16 Tahoe LT at 77K miles and since the first test drive, I noticed a hissy/ticky exhaust leak sound on the driver's side, sounds like it's somewhere on the other side of the firewall from the brake pedal. I have checked the manifold bolts and they are present and snug and I haven't been able to see any telltale exhaust staining on the head or at the manifold to Y pipe connection. I have remote started it while under the car but the hiss/tick goes away shortly at idle so I haven't been able to pinpoint it. It does however always come back when the engine is under load and it becomes quite hissy at WOT.
It almost seems like a cracked manifold to me but I am grasping at straws-has anyone else had the same experience and found the root cause? Anyone have any super awesome ways to find exhaust leaks? (soapy water almost immediately boils and evaporates even after a cold engine start, don't ask me how I know, LOL)
Thanks!

 

[Merch619]

There is a drivers side donut gasket off the manifold to the y pipe. It clicks in on the manifold and then you put the y pipe up against it. We are currently going through some issues with my 2015 Chevy Tahoe. This was one of the issues we came across and fixed. I hope this helps.

 

[madmax032]

There is a drivers side donut gasket off the manifold to the y pipe. It clicks in on the manifold and then you put the y pipe up against it. We are currently going through some issues with my 2015 Chevy Tahoe. This was one of the issues we came across and fixed. I hope this helps.

That would sure be easier than replacing manifold gaskets! Might have to order one just to cover my bases.

 

[Merch619]

That would sure be easier than replacing manifold gaskets! Might have to order one just to cover my bases.

I would definitely start there before doing manifold gaskets. The bolts on the manifold are known for snapping off and then it’s a whole other chore on removing them.

 

[madmax032]

Unfortunately, I had already purchased some MLS manifold gaskets and bolts online already before checking them because I was pretty confident that it sounded like a broken bolt manifold to head leak...oops. I have the new manifold to Y doughnut now so hopefully I can find some time this evening to swap it and fingers crossed, that's the fix. I'd still rather have extra bolts and manifold gaskets than have to go to the effort of replacing them though, lol!