Rusty manifolds

[DaveyB]

My car has just failed it's MOT, but only on a single rear track rod. So I am over the moon!

However the job that I have been putting off for a while is going to need doing shortly, and that job is the exhaust. I have purchased replacement mufflers, and all the gaskets and fitting as this looks relatively straight forward to do. But the exhaust manifold gaskets, plates and bolts look like dust held together with fresh air.

I keep umming and arring about doing this myself, then panic. How much would an indie with experience of this charge to remove the manifolds and replace the studs gaskets etc, and who?

Sorry if this has ben asked before, and looking at how the manifolds are exposed, I can only assume this isn't uncommon.

Thanks
Dave

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Unfortunately, it is a "how long is a piece of string?" type question. It can be an absolute nightmare to get the manifolds off. As you have seen, the bolts evaporate, and you can guarantee that one or more will snap off when they are removed. I have known my indy to spend all day getting the bolts out and fitting new manifolds.

 

[DaveyB]

I began the process of replacing my exhaust silencers. What a pita. Easily removed the rear valence , heat shields etc. Removed the clamps that join the cats the boxes, with the help of a grinder. And that was faily straight forward. After making a dash to halfords to replace my trolley jack that broke, have been stuck on the same bolt for 3 hrs.

Now I have worked on quite a few cars, so I'm not a novice, but I must be getting thick, because I don't seem to be able to get at 2 of the 3 screws that hold the silencer brackets on. And everywhere says how easy it is, and they did it in 20mins and that included doing the Times crossword etc.


So how do you do it?

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

A long extension. u/j, and 13mm socket:

 

[DaveyB]

I am clearly a muppet, 'cos thats about the only thing I didn't try. Well I haven't got a UJ for my 3/8" drive. Looks like a purchase is needed. Thanks Richard.

It's still a pain in the bum. I think my mini wasn't as rusty as this.