Exhaust port color update (what is that noise?)update, Light gray vs black Options

[cwpeden]

Just chasing a noise on my 2.0 that sounded like an exhaust leak but doesn't look like one once the exchanger is off the head.

However I notice that the #3 port and pipes are light gray instead of black.

I tightened the exhaust before taking it off with no change and it doesn't look like it was leaking there. Could leak between the head and cylinder cause it to be lean? and also go away once its warmed up? Or is this generally a problem that is cause by intake leaks?

[cwpeden]

Update:

So after checking the head studs and finding one that was a little loose I thought I had the problem found.

Nope.

Turns out one of the exhaust nuts was not even touching the HE flange. It was torqued to spec, just a blemish on the stud was preventing it from going all the way down. I just happened to notice it as I was moving the light from under the car while getting the engine ready to pull.

Hope this helps someone else in their quest...