Depending on your engine and vehicle, the exhaust manifold can be either a set of pipes or a cast iron assembly. The exhaust manifold is responsible for taking burnt exhaust gases from the engine’s cylinders and ejecting them through the exhaust system and out of the car’s tailpipe. The exhaust gases are burned fuel residue from the combustion process inside your engine’s cylinders. Over time, the constant expansion and contraction of the components, caused by the engine’s heating & cooling, may cause the manifold to crack and leak. These leaks can be hazardous as hot exhaust gases escape and may damage other components in the engine compartment. A leaky exhaust manifold can also impact engine performance.
Some common symptoms of a leaking exhaust manifold are loud noise from your engine, diminished engine performance, a lit check engine light, and unusual smells from the engine compartment. A leaky exhaust manifold can be a health and safety concern, as well as a fire hazard. It most likely won’t cause any further harm right away, but it would be wiser to get it taken care of and have your peace of mind than wait until your car catches fire and you end up stuck taking the bus.
Sometimes an exhaust manifold starts to leak because a mounting bolt has broken. If this happens, the broken bolt or stud will need to be removed, which can increase the labor time needed to repair the problem. To repair a leaky exhaust manifold, it must be examined, then removed and replaced. The studs should be inspected, and then the old gasket and carbon buildup must be cleaned off of the cylinder head. Then the new gasket & exhaust manifold will be installed, then the engine can be started and checked for any remaining leaks.
If you suspect that you have an exhaust manifold leak, come in to your Certified Auto Repair Specialist of Pasadena today to get it taken care of.