My truck just started running really loud when it's cold and the leak goes away when it warms up to operating temperature.I did a little bit of investigating and I have found where the leak is coming from at the end of the exhaust manifold where the donut gasket meets the catalytic converters. It appears that the bolts rotted that hold the system together at the gasket. What should I do to repair this? I don't really want to replace the whole manifold because I know i'll break a stud off in the engine because everything is pretty rusty down there. Any Help would be appreciated.. Thanks!!! I even took some pictures of the problem.





http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...nutLeak003.jpg

 

That is some serious rust you have there. I do not see a way in the world of fixing that in a conventonal manner without major problems. I think I would try to find a couple of small C-clamps and put one on each end of the flange to pull it together. This might hold until you were ready to take off the manifold, whick looks as if it will take drilling and tapping to be able to bolt back up.

 

Ya it's going to be a nightmare lots of rust on the original parts. I sprayed down all of the studs to get a start on it anyway but maybe i'll try putting some small c clamps on it. Thanks for the advice

 

If you can get some type of drill bit on those manifold bolts, you could drill them out and the then install new bolts. Just did not think you could get in the tight space.

 

I was thinking about maybe trying that but I hate to disturb the manifold and have it crack on me?

 

Thanks for the help bluejay! I think i'm going to pick up some c clamps for the time being. I never even though of trying that out....