Exhaust Leak-Mission Accomplished!
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 135
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From: Littleton, CO
Exhaust Leak-Mission Accomplished!
So, I posted here last week before heading to the airport regarding an exhaust leak on my '03 Dakota. Just wanted to report back on the repairs...
PIECE-O-CAKE!!
If anyone is thinking about dropping the $250 on having the dealership do the repairs... I'd highly suggest against it if you're situation is similar to mine. The bolt head for the driver-side exhaust manifold (top-right if you're looking directly at the manifold) busted off and I was getting a loud clicking/tapping sound.
The largest (unknown) part of the job was getting the remaining stud out of the engine block. Thankfully, after carefully unbolting the manifold from the block and the exhaust tube (carefully... as to not bust any remaining bolts that might be thinking about going), I pulled off the manifold and was able to hand-turn the offending stud free of the block.
I cleaned the block and manifold face clear of the old gasket, put a new one on from the dealer along with new bolts all the way around and I was back on the road in less than two hours.
My truck is once again purring like a kitten.
Oh, and it cost me right around $20 bucks for parts... and beer. =)
PIECE-O-CAKE!!
If anyone is thinking about dropping the $250 on having the dealership do the repairs... I'd highly suggest against it if you're situation is similar to mine. The bolt head for the driver-side exhaust manifold (top-right if you're looking directly at the manifold) busted off and I was getting a loud clicking/tapping sound.
The largest (unknown) part of the job was getting the remaining stud out of the engine block. Thankfully, after carefully unbolting the manifold from the block and the exhaust tube (carefully... as to not bust any remaining bolts that might be thinking about going), I pulled off the manifold and was able to hand-turn the offending stud free of the block.
I cleaned the block and manifold face clear of the old gasket, put a new one on from the dealer along with new bolts all the way around and I was back on the road in less than two hours.
My truck is once again purring like a kitten.
Oh, and it cost me right around $20 bucks for parts... and beer. =)
Record Breaker
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,320
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It's not that hard, there is a few bolts to remove, one from y pipe to manifold, and then the manifold bolts to block with heat shields if you have a look you will see it's like a 14 mm or something for socket.
If you do it and have a broken bolt, buy the same bolt but in grade 8 heat treated. cost you probably 5 bucks for all of the bolts not even...
If you do it and have a broken bolt, buy the same bolt but in grade 8 heat treated. cost you probably 5 bucks for all of the bolts not even...
Thread Starter
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Professional
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Littleton, CO
I started taking some pic's of the process, but once I got the heat shield off, it's a no-brainer. Eight bolts on the manifold, two on the manifold/pipe connection.
Might be a bit obvious, but removing the wheel (for the drivers-side manifold) helped with access immensely.
Haven't done the passenger side, but air-box removal would be necessary on that side.
Might be a bit obvious, but removing the wheel (for the drivers-side manifold) helped with access immensely.
Haven't done the passenger side, but air-box removal would be necessary on that side.