I know I have an exhaust leak...help?

[dezul313]

I smell exhaust in the car while driving. Looking at all the post on the subject, it sounds like I should look under the air cleaner housing for things. Like the down tube or cracks in the pipe. My question is, can I run the car with the air cleaner off to look for the exhaust leak? Ineed to fix this immediatly, it's my wife's car and my 13 month old rides with her. I love them both...
'84 300TD

Make sure it's not a rust hole in the body. Check under the carpets and seats.

[Cateaux]

If you have to, it shouldn't hurt to run the engine for just a moment without the air cleaner. I would check the rest of the exhaust first, though. Leaks tend to leave black carbon deposits on the pipe, so that's the first thing to look out for. With the car raised securely, check the exhaust. If you can't find any telltale carbon deposits, start the engine and run your hand along the length of the exhaust with your hand almost touching it. You should feel exhaust gases hitting your hand when it passes over the leak. If you still can't find it, then remove the air cleaner and check the head pipe. Usually, exhaust leaks that close to the engine will make a ticking sound. If the leak is in the head pipe, I would suspect either the flexible portion of the pipe or the area where the pipe mates to the turbo.