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Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: geoffp on 12 November 2010, 13:05:11

Title: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffp on 12 November 2010, 13:05:11
Hi
Does anyone know an approximate cost to have a blowing manifold done on a Facelift 2.5 V6 Elite
Just hear it slightly coming from the front...

Anyone thats had this problem will have an idea.
Thanks in advance

Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Welung666 on 12 November 2010, 13:10:53
It's a cow of a job that's for sure. I've got 2 to do and keep putting them off ;D ;D
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Omega_Dan on 12 November 2010, 13:11:24
PM Darth Loo-knee. He lives in the stoke area and does alot of work for the forum :y
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 November 2010, 21:25:03
Aha! Greetings fellow Geoff!

Be very careful before doing this or paying someone else to do it so you don't make the same mistake as me!

If you suspect this to be the gasket blowing, it might actually only be a burnt through rubber pipe, that will only take a few mins to sort.

I heard mine blowing, then got it as an advisory on the MOT.
I embarked on the most unpleasant job (sorry, but it is) of changing the drivers side, whick took me about 15 hrs to do!

When dismantling, I noticed a hole that had been burnt through on the 4 inch (roughly) length rubber/plastic pipe that bridges the two metal 2ndary air injection pipes. I didn't think anything of it, but replaced it all the same.

When I got to the gasket it seemed ok, but replaced it anyway (after all that work).

On driving all was fine for 20 mins, until the pipe burnt through again and the blowing noise started. I was devastated until I realised what the problem was and sorted it!

Check your pipes to rule this out first, it could save you lots of time or money!

By the way, the most fiddly part of the job IMO is unscrewing/screwing the two bolts that secure the coolant transfer pipe to the back of the engine. This is far worse than doing any ABS ECU!

HTH
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffp on 01 December 2010, 12:25:13
Mate, heres hoping :)

Do you have a photo of exactly what you mean please?
Not sure which pipe you mean.  The engine revs really nice and sounds great, its just in a morning it sounds like a tank and when i hard accelerate it can sound "sporty".

Also, what was the remedy to stop it burning through if thats the case...

Thankyou for replying :)
Geoff.
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Martin_1962 on 01 December 2010, 15:25:31
Quote
By the way, the most fiddly part of the job IMO is unscrewing/screwing the two bolts that secure the coolant transfer pipe to the back of the engine. This is far worse than doing any ABS ECU!

HTH

Easiest way to do this is to remove the passenger side head.

Also use a 8mm rachet spanner and 1/4" drive sockets for the two bolts
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 01 December 2010, 16:36:13
1/4 inch socket set makes the transfer bolts easy.

Removing the passenger head is a bit extreme

3-4 hours to do a manifold gasket
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Varche on 01 December 2010, 17:33:44
Quote
Aha! Greetings fellow Geoff!

Be very careful before doing this or paying someone else to do it so you don't make the same mistake as me!

If you suspect this to be the gasket blowing, it might actually only be a burnt through rubber pipe, that will only take a few mins to sort.

I heard mine blowing, then got it as an advisory on the MOT.
I embarked on the most unpleasant job (sorry, but it is) of changing the drivers side, whick took me about 15 hrs to do!

When dismantling, I noticed a hole that had been burnt through on the 4 inch (roughly) length rubber/plastic pipe that bridges the two metal 2ndary air injection pipes. I didn't think anything of it, but replaced it all the same.

When I got to the gasket it seemed ok, but replaced it anyway (after all that work).

On driving all was fine for 20 mins, until the pipe burnt through again and the blowing noise started. I was devastated until I realised what the problem was and sorted it!

Check your pipes to rule this out first, it could save you lots of time or money!

By the way, the most fiddly part of the job IMO is unscrewing/screwing the two bolts that secure the coolant transfer pipe to the back of the engine. This is far worse than doing any ABS ECU!

HTH
What was it?

I've done my passenger side and all for "great" then the drivers side got noisy.
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffr70 on 01 December 2010, 18:10:27
Quote
Quote
Aha! Greetings fellow Geoff!

Be very careful before doing this or paying someone else to do it so you don't make the same mistake as me!

If you suspect this to be the gasket blowing, it might actually only be a burnt through rubber pipe, that will only take a few mins to sort.

I heard mine blowing, then got it as an advisory on the MOT.
I embarked on the most unpleasant job (sorry, but it is) of changing the drivers side, whick took me about 15 hrs to do!

When dismantling, I noticed a hole that had been burnt through on the 4 inch (roughly) length rubber/plastic pipe that bridges the two metal 2ndary air injection pipes. I didn't think anything of it, but replaced it all the same.

When I got to the gasket it seemed ok, but replaced it anyway (after all that work).

On driving all was fine for 20 mins, until the pipe burnt through again and the blowing noise started. I was devastated until I realised what the problem was and sorted it!

Check your pipes to rule this out first, it could save you lots of time or money!

By the way, the most fiddly part of the job IMO is unscrewing/screwing the two bolts that secure the coolant transfer pipe to the back of the engine. This is far worse than doing any ABS ECU!

HTH
What was it?
I've done my passenger side and all for "great" then the drivers side got noisy.
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffp on 06 December 2010, 17:26:03
Guys what needs removing under the hood to get the drivers side done? Does the starter and alternator have to come off?
Also are there any how to's on this please. Checked under maintenance info but couldn't find anything. Thanks
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Elite Pete on 06 December 2010, 21:59:34
Quote
Guys what needs removing under the hood to get the drivers side done? Does the starter and alternator have to come off?
Also are there any how to's on this please. Checked under maintenance info but couldn't find anything. Thanks
Plenum, inlet manifold, coolant bridge some leave this inplace but I find access easier with it removed, coolant transfer pipe, manifold heat shields and undo down pipe then remove manifold, simples  ::)
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffr70 on 06 December 2010, 23:06:12
If you've got c/c you might also need to remove this aswell (for easier access), which is simple. Just remove the 2/3 bolts on the heat shield that fix it to the engine bay side of the wheel arch.

If it is the drivers side you are talking about, this is the pipe I am talking about:

(http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/geoffr70/Car%20pics/PICT0073.jpg)

To get your bearings, imagine you are stood in the v of the engine looking out towards the drivers side of the car. This is how/where this pipe is. The bit with the hole in bridges to another metal bit that then bends 90 degrees to the front of the engine.

When I originally posted about this, Marks DTM Calib suggested that the cause of this pipe burning through could be a blockage in the exhaust which seems to tie in as I have a rattly cat on the o/s.

I bridged it with copper pipe as a new bit burnt through again. Not ideal i know but I have had no problem with it a few thousand miles later, although I do intend to get new cats when i get a s/s system.

P.S. when it burnt through again I obviously got a sound which sounded like a blowing gasket, which I thought couldn't be possible, and was annoyed to say the least! :(

After a little thinking, I felt my hands around the pipe and felt it was blowing again (it was difficult to see as the hole was facing down). This meant that the exhaust was blowing up the SAI pipe, which it is obviously not meant to do, which could be related in some way to the apparent blockage.

It took me along time as I kept on getting distracted by sandwiches and birthday presents, but when you come to do yours just remove your oil cooler pipes instead of being lazy like me and it will be easier to get the coolant transfer pipe off!

HTH
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Elite Pete on 06 December 2010, 23:09:48
Quote
If you've got c/c you might also need to remove this aswell (for easier access), which is simple. Just remove the 2/3 bolts on the heat shield that fix it to the engine bay side of the wheel arch.

If it is the drivers side you are talking about, this is the pipe I am talking about:

(http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/geoffr70/Car%20pics/PICT0073.jpg)
Thats part of the secondary air injection and its attached to the manifold  ;)
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffp on 08 December 2010, 17:25:58
SORTED :)

It was that little pipe next to the manifold :)

Car sounds lovely now - I'm so happy :)

Thanks guys for all your comments here and thanks
So much for that pic of the pipe :)

Geoff
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffr70 on 08 December 2010, 20:31:16
I put a picture on there
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: Kneepad on 08 December 2010, 20:59:53
Quote
I put a picture on there

Your talents never cease to amaze me.   ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Exhaust Manifold - slight leak
Post by: geoffr70 on 12 December 2010, 12:26:32
Glad to hear you got it sorted with the minimal amount of time and expense. I wish I had before I changed the gasket! As others suggested when I had this problem, it might be wise to investigate what caused the pipe to burn through in the first place. After I fitted a replacement, it burnt through in exactly the same place on the pipe. I don't know if that's relevant. I've got a new down pipe and cat to go on to replace the rattly cat, so hopefully that'll be that.