I'm an engineer and I wouldn't plug that hole if it was designed to be that way. When designing a product, especially one prone to failure, we go through the DFMEA process, which is a fancy way of saying we make a list of how things can fail, what problems that may cause, and what we can do to stop that from happening. That leak path was almost certainly engineered due to DFMEA results and its presence indicates that engineers expected there to be a problem if you plug it. I've seen plenty of motorcycle exhausts with similar holes.

 

Yes it does seem odd, but after researching a bit today I've found that ford has done it on other vehicles too.
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/2013-f...t-leak-183425/
http://www.fordf150.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=98050
https://www.f150forum.com/f38/ecoboo...anifold-89165/

 

again, it's not a hole

 

In this case the low spot in the exhaust will collect water and corrode over time.

 

did you change anything on your truck?

 

and to clarify, I'm not doubting nor challenging the idea that there is not a purpose to have a "cold" drain in that section. What I'm challenging is the obnoxiousness of the tick every time the truck is started cold. I'll gladly replace that exhaust when it fails in 15yrs from condensation in the pipe.

 

Sure. I made a point of not messing with things that were clearly designed to be a specific way. Regardless, it's your truck. You have a right to do what you want with it. All I'm saying is, my window tints didn't show up on the DFMEA. A sealed exhaust did.

 

Lets get on the same level, I'm not trying to argue for the sake of arguing and certainly not trying to be a dikhead knowitall.

Just gettin that outta the way.

How long until that tiny relief gets plugged with carbon?

I'm going to assume you have not released that clamp and actually looked at what's there. Again, it's not a hole. It's a loose tolerance. That may or may not be done on purpose. There are people that have had it fixed and it does not leak. That's all I'm getting at.

 

I agree its a quality control or tolerance issue. How come none of the other manufacturers have vehicles that sounds like this on startup - by design.

Hopefully Ford owns up to the problem and has a fix soon as i hate listening to the exhaust leak and rapid farting sound every morning