# Exhaust leak or something else? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** mazda6, mazda\ **Created:** [May 25, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-leak-or-something-else/118029 "2018-05-25T04:46:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Triathlor](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/triathlor/32/13286_2.png) [@Triathlor](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Triathlor)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 4:46am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-leak-or-something-else/118029/1 "2018-05-25T04:46:57Z")
2006 Mazda 6 V6 3.0L Hi there, I just noticed a ticking or clicking noise on this vehicle while inspecting the steering rack. I recorded a video about it. You can hear it sounds louder on the area of the water pump. I thought it could be the pump but I have never heard a pump do this, or maybe they do? I don’t see any leaks. coolant level is where it should be. Maybe it is an exhaust leak? [Our Mazda](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHlPwq2aJ_A) I searched everywhere… someowhat difficult to know for sure what it is because many things exhibit the same symptom. The majority of the mazda 6 videos with engine noises are from bad rod bearings, crankshafts. I only found one video with my problem but this guy never said what it was. [Similar problem](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16y9ivI8ySs&list=PL0i-XqT7aiqS_z1YVFDHCDpIaefIBwxUC&index=3&t=0s) The car is quiet during cold start, then it starts ticking when warm. Doesn’t seem to affect performance. ---
**Author:** ![Yosemite](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/yosemite/32/643_2.png) [@Yosemite](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Yosemite)\ **Post date:** [May 25, 2018, 1:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/exhaust-leak-or-something-else/118029/2 "2018-05-25T13:00:11Z")
It sounds to me like you have an exhaust leak. This could be a bad gasket, or a cracked exhaust manifold. But normally that will make more noise on a cold start and quiet some after the metal expands and the crack closes. Yosemite