Do I have to remove exhaust manifold to change the gasket ?

[G-96XLT]

I was wondering if anyone did this job and knows how long it should take and can I get away just by prying the manifold back and dropping the gasket, or do I have to remove the whole manifold. It is a 96 so quick and dirty is fine for this old beast.

I'm not a mechanic but I am somewhat experienced.

I finally picked up the gasket today, strange there was 2 in the box.

 

[Blazepet7]

You most likely are gunna want to take it off, ive done my maxima and it fit just right and you want to make sure that it lives up properly if you just pry it up you arent getting a full view of the gasket, it can easily get snagged on something and then your gunna throw a code and prob lose power if not in correctly. IMO I wouldnt want to have to do the job twice when i didnt have to u know...

 

[G-96XLT]

It is a 96 and at this point I'm looking for quick and dirty instead of a pro job. Anything that will make the rumble go away would be an improvement.

I just don't want to have to disconnect the exhaust because the things is rusty. I will probably have to saw it off and buy more parts to put it together . Either way this is the weekend to do it so I'll let you guys know how it went.

 

[jremington59]

Are you sure it's just a gasket and not a cracked manifold?

 

[G-96XLT]

to be honest with you I still don't know for sure, but the sound developed slowly so I think its gasket. I'm going to try to slip it in without making a big job out of it. if it doesn't go I'll just take the whole thing off. the only thing I have to fear at this point is the bolts. if they break I'm screwed and I'll be back here with a new topic.

 

[Maniak]

On the OHV with a cast manifold its actually easier to install it with the manifold on, but only held in by a couple bolts. When you look at the gasket you can see there are a couple spots that just "hang" on the bolts. Then you can get the other bolts through the manifold and gasket before you tighten anything down.

~Mark

 

[thomas.baker]

yes

 

[Blazepet7]

ahh ok so that is better for you then i just figured it would be easier to take the whole thing off instead of finding out that it was done wrong and have to take it all apart again...I know that on the other two cars that i have changed gaskets on it had to be removed but thats why we are on a forum right because someone has to know the right answer good luck

 

[G-96XLT]

Had a go at it last night. This is actually a fairly easy job. I ran in to a problem with the EGR tube breaking. It was very rusty at the base where it screws in to the exhaust. I did manage to loosen all the manifold bolts without breaking any. I will do the gasket replacement today and try to get a new EGR tube on monday.

 

[N1265]

I just pluged the tube opening on the manifold when mine broke.

1) remove the flange nut that held the EGR tube on the manifold.
2) take it to a hardware store and find two washers that fit in the ID of the "flange nut "
3) get a small bolt that will fit threw the ID of the washers.
4) put one washer on the inside and one on the outside and threw bolt the washers together on the flange part of the nut, plugging the hole where the tub was (I also recomend using a lock washer on the bolt )
5) screw the flange nut back on the the manifold.

The EGR system will be bypassed and the check engine light will stay on, but it's a quick easy and CHEEP fix...

 

[G-96XLT]

new development here. I took out all the bolts and I noticed there was no gasket. could this be or is it so melted in there that it looks the same as the exhaust.

What do guys think I should do ? Should I just pop the gasket in there and forget about it or should I take off the entire manifold, which would require me to saw the flange and buy more parts.

Is it possible I don't have a gasket and the leak was coming from the EGR tube.

I already cut my EGR tube, it broke right at the nut so there was no chance of fixing it , I can get one from the junkyard for $5.