Exhaust leak DIY fix?

[K-rover]

I have an exhaust leak coming from the passenger side manifold, where it meets the down tube. I can put my hand on that connection and feel the exhaust coming out.

My question is what is involved in fixing this issue? Can the connection just be loosened and reseated? Is there a gasket at that joint?

How much of PIA is it to fix this? Im a little nervous of doing it myself since my whole exhaust is covered in caked up Carolina clay and all the manifolf bolts are rusted to hell.

IF I take it to a mechanic.. how much should something like this cost?

Thanks guys!

 

[Roving Beetle]

Easy fix - heat he bolts red hot before trying to remove. They are studs so plan to replace them not just the nuts. It's a gasket seal, cheap and "easy".

Not a bad one to take to a shop really as the pain in the ass factor VS having the right tools and a lift = not expensive for a shop to do for you VS the cursing you'll do if you're not set up for such a job.

 

[barefoot]

those bolts can loosen. if you are lucky, tightening all 6 of them will fix the leak. if not, you will have to replace the gasket. you could also have a crack where the mating plate meets the y-pipe....these are very very common and require welding or replacing y-pipe (which is damn expensive for what it is). something else to look at are the lower manifold to block bolts...they work loose as well.

like beetle said, it is a damn pain in the ass but certainly a doable job. i had to do mine a couple of times before i got it right. plan on some of the studs/bolts being a major pita. i actually had to remove my manifolds first time. you can get the gaskets and studs from will.

plan on maybe 4 hrs if all goes well?

enjoy!

 

[roverzfan]

I've got the same issue on the drivers side of my 98 Disco. I'm not an engine guy - so what's the impact of having this leak. I mean I know an engine is an air pump but then I hear about things like back pressure, blah blah blah. Is this something I should stop driving the Disco till I get it fixed or can I go for a year or two - personally my wife digs the muscle car sound.

 

[Fat Cat]

roverzfan: I've been driving mine like that for several years, I don't see how it could create a problem. Shoot, with all the oil leaks, trans leak, sunroof leak, and slight battery loss & external coolant leak, what's a little exhaust leak?

 

[K-rover]

Mine is pretty loud and annoying. I couldnt keep driving it that way. It would piss me off.

BTW. I decided to let the shop fix it. I dont want to deal with those rusted ass bolts.

 

[RyanP]

My drivers side gasket went out, had an annoying leak. I couldn't stand it. Swapped the gasket ($30 gasket..) myself, was not fun but really wasn't THAT much of a PITA.

 

[roverzfan]

Glad to hear it just adds to the leaks. Mine isn't loud enough to bug me for the most part and those bolts look mighty rough. I was under there changing the oil this weekend and they are one of the few spots that isn't covered in some form of Land Rover Liquid Protection (aka oil, coolant or trany fluid). I'll let it ride for now. Next up door mechanism spring for the rear door, pulling the stock roof rack bars and new O2 sensors. Good thing these vehicles are easy to work on.

 

[RyanP]

Joining the no-roof-rack-bar club? Good move

 

[KingKong8247]

I think a local muffler shop quoted me like 80 bucks to replace that gasket. In hind site I should have did that because i ended up snapping the stud on the manifold and had to replace that which was a huge PITA.

Make sure you use a lot of heat.

 

[Agent]

I think a local muffler shop quoted me like 80 bucks to replace that gasket. In hind site I should have did that because i ended up snapping the stud on the manifold and had to replace that which was a huge PITA.

Make sure you use a lot of heat.

Had to do the ones on my '00 a while back and broke a stud. Ended up having to pull the manifold drill out what was left of the stud and retap it. Definitely a PITA, but there's not a soul in the area I'd let touch my trucks. Its just me and Dweb!

 

[djrover]

I had to change the gasket on the driver's side flange on my '99 D2. I broke a stud, ended up pulling the manifold, drilling out the broken piece and then tapping the hole. The next week I met a guy who worked at a stealership and he said the studs usually break so they almost always drill out the manifold flange while in the truck and then close it up with bolts.
Now my passenger side flange is leaking and I plan to go with the drill and bolt method. Any reason to avoid the drill and bolt procedure?

One more thing - this time I'll wait until it all cools off!

Thanks

 

[K-rover]

So finally got the truck to the shop and sure enough both flanges on the down pipes were broken so they needed to be welded along with new gaskets.

Glad I didnt mess with it myself.

On a side note, The truck sounds A LOT better! I must have had the exhaust leak for a while now, just didnt notice until it got really bad.

It cost me more than I wanted, but sometimes I think its worth it to avoid the headache.