Hi,

I notice a little exhaust leak noise from the passenger side manifold. I took the heat shield off and found that the two bolts which fasten it to the back of the manifold were both already erroted from rust. After using a stethoscope I found the leak noise to be right where these two bolts are and that part of the gasket. I was wondering if these two bolts have anything to do with holding the manifold in place which is why there is this leak? Also can I use a steel brush and exhaust cement to seal it since it only makes a slight ticking noise for a few minutes after I start the engine?

Thanks

I have a 2005 Dakota with 4.7

 

Welcome to the broken manifold stud club...you are in good company
The bolts you are talking about are actually studs that attach the manifold to the head.

Chances are better than not that you will need to replace all of them, and that you will probably have at least one more broken on the drivers side (usually the last one by the firewall). How many miles do you have on the truck? Is it still under warranty?

These are somewhat painful to change, and for whatever reason Dodge puts threadlock on the bolts

 

is it a do it yourself repair?

 

i have almost 99000 on my 05 4.7, and one of the manifolds leaks bad on start up, dealer wants 1200.00 to replace both manifold

 

be cheaper to install set of headers

 

i like the way u think!

 

EXACTLY what I did I LOVE my headers!
I got tired of getting jerked around by the 3rd party warranty company who refused to cover the broken bolt.
I had a good local guy who removed the broken bolt (had to remove the inner fender, intermediate steering shaft to get to the point to drill it out) install the headers for $350.00. He did a great job!

 

Wouldn't manifold bolts be covered under the power-train warranty?

Gasoline Engine: cylinder block and all internal
parts; cylinder head assemblies; timing case, timing
chain, timing belt, gears and sprockets; vibration
damper; oil pump; water pump and housing; intake
and exhaust manifolds; flywheel with starter ring
gear; core plugs; valve covers; oil pan; turbocharger
housing and internal parts; turbocharger
wastegate actuator; supercharger; serpentine belt
tensioner; seals and gaskets for listed components
only.

 

Yes, but not with 77k miles

 

what headers do you have and what else did you have to do to the exhaust?