Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: chrisdb on 03 September 2008, 19:05:44

Title: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: chrisdb on 03 September 2008, 19:05:44
Hi guys

I've been trying to turn a blind eye to it but can't any more. I think that the right hand side (offside) exhaust manifold gasket it blowing. I'm pretty sure it won't be any other part of the exhaust because I had a complete original VX exhaust fitted at Christmas and I'm assuming it came with new O rings too.

Is there any test I can do to definitely prove it is the manifold? And if it is, I think it might be too big a job for me, so does anyone know a good mechanic who can do this for me?

Cheers
Chris

Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: Omega Pixie on 03 September 2008, 22:04:21
If it is the manifold that is leaking it could be getting in the car and my cause you to feel sleepy or fall asleep It is a bit tricky to do I ended up taking the head off as well as one of the studs needed drilling out it is going back together slowly. I know this isnt much help but I thought I should warn you about carbon monoxide poisoning.
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: feeutfo on 03 September 2008, 23:47:47
never done one myself, but my old cdx had symptoms.  It would blow from cold and gradually disappear as the engine warmed up. If left it would have blown all the time. Presumably your will have gone through this in the early stages? You could try getting someone to block the tail pipe with a rag or something while you examine the engine bay and see where she blows?
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: feeutfo on 04 September 2008, 02:03:13
Quote
never done one myself, but my old cdx had symptoms.  It would blow from cold and gradually disappear as the engine warmed up. If left it would have blown all the time. Presumably your will have gone through this in the early stages? You could try getting someone to block the tail pipe with a rag or something while you examine the engine bay and see where she blows?
Engine running obviously.
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: MutantCav on 04 September 2008, 07:31:51
One option is to simply find the leak and apply exhaust filler...perhaps only temporary but it works...as far as I remember seeing you dont need to remove head...drivers side you can just undo the engine mount bolt...remove the cat...then jack up that side of the engine a bit to get the extra access needed...

Lots of plus gas on the bolts at least oer night if not for a few days before may stop the bolts shearing off...
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: chrisdb on 04 September 2008, 14:09:02
Thanks for the info. Did not realise about the CO2 poisoning! And I didn't think of jacking the engine - this might just make it do-able for me.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: JasonH on 04 September 2008, 21:36:54
An exhaust manifold leak on the V6 can be VERY hard to pinpoint. They usually go at the back near the downpipe. Even with the heatshields off you just can't see or feel the leak. Only when the manifold is off is the problem visible.

(http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j292/jasonhanlon/Exhaustmanifold.jpg)

First thing to check though is the exhaust manifold to downpipe gasket. They can go. Cost £5 and two nuts to undo to replace. You need a cold engine and to get under the car. Get you hands round the joint and get someone to start the car. Because of the secondary air injection things heat up very quickly. You probably have 5 seconds before you need to get your hands out of there. You should feel the exhaust blowing though.

If it is the exhaust manifold gasket it's a fiddly job. I've done both sides now with the engine in situ and it would probably have been easier to remove the engine...
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: JueV6 on 04 September 2008, 21:44:02
lots to take off for the R hand side, not done the L side yet,  :y

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/juedu2/100_5094.jpg)
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: chrisdb on 05 September 2008, 09:44:57
Quote
lots to take off for the R hand side, not done the L side yet,  :y


Hmmm... not as bad as I thought. I did the camshaft covers the other so looks like I was already half way there. Contract finishes today so I might take this next week while I've got no work ;)
Title: Re: Exhaust manifold gasket
Post by: The Barge Captain on 05 September 2008, 14:26:01
Exhaust gasket blowing at the back where you can't see or feel it is common.  Need to do mine sometime soon.  Hardest part is getting the big coolant transfer pipe off.  Did this job on my last omega so I have a better idea of what to do this time.  There is a how to on here somewhere.  You will need to take the injector fuel rail off to get enough access.