I have a eg sedan that when u start the and at idle it makes a popping sound from the exhaust... my first thought was exhaust leak... can anyone think of anything else?

 

At first glance, it sounds that the catalytic convertor material may start to be disintegrating. Bump for someone with more information or knowledge

It also may be the fact that your timing may be off?

Let's get it poppin.. I'm in Miami !

 

is it a pop like its missing on a cylinder or strictly exhaust sound? how does it idle?

 

it sounds more like the exhaust... and the idle is that infamous fluctuating idle. But that's my tps sensor.