How to Change an Exhaust Manifold

The exhaust manifold mounts to the exhaust side of the cylinder head in your vehicle, connecting to the exhaust pipe (tail pipe). Check it regularly to ensure seals are tight and the manifold is free from cracks. While exhaust manifolds are not normally modified, you may need to change it if cracks occur.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Common set of wrenches and sockets
• Intake/exhaust gasket

Change Your Own Exhaust Manifold

1. Locate your exhaust manifold, which differs in location depending the year, make and model of your car. It is usually located under the intake manifold.

2. Cool your car down completely. The bolts may break if the car is not cool.

3. Determine whether you will need to jack up the car. Depending on the location of the exhaust manifold, you may need to have access to the underside of the car in order to change it. Otherwise, you have to remove several engine components just to get to the bolts.

4. Remove the bolts surrounding the exhaust manifold. There will be at least a few that connect it to the engine block. You may also need to remove the intake manifold, which means the bolts to connect that to the block must also be removed.

5. Pull the manifold out, which many require some force. Put the new manifold in by reversing the steps.

Have Your Exhaust Manifold Changed

6. Look into repairing the manifold instead of changing it. The cost of replacing a gasket usually ends up being much less than replacing an entire part.

7. Speak to your mechanic about replacing your manifold with a stock or aftermarket part. A stock manifold will be the cheapest, but adding an aftermarket part may improve your performance.

8. Work with your mechanic when modifying your exhaust system. Not all aftermarket exhaust manifolds will fit your chassis, but more importantly, you will want the turbo to be mounted in the correct position.

Tips & Warnings

• Modifying an exhaust manifold may increase the speed or performance of your car.
• Expect to smell a bit of smoke the first time you start your car after changing the manifold. This is normal, as some silicone is usually used on the seals.
• Exhaust manifold bolts commonly break, even when removed at the proper temperature. The easiest way to remove the broken bolt is to drill it out, but you will probably have to take out the entire engine to avoid breaking a head.
• Depending on your car, you may have one or more exhaust manifolds, which may serve double-duty as a base for mounting hardware. Older cars may still have a heat riser valve as well. Make sure you do not damage other hardware as your change your exhaust manifold.

[eaglo]

on 6/6/2009 More Internet Garbage written by someone who obviously never did the job. This job is a BEAST and I guarantee that unless you know how to do it, you'll break the bolts.