280i N/S exhaust manifold.

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peeps..I noticed that the N/S exhaust manifold gaskets have failed and i have a leak..Has anyone replaced these before as i cannot access the last bolt..Which is situated inside the divide and is underside..I will have another go tomorrow but cant seem to get even half a turn on it as its so tight in there...Im wondering if its a wheel off/Axle stand job!..Cheers...Ziga

[Mr Tank]

Mark

When is you luck going to change?

Funny thing is why didn't the garage who did you heads, not hear the gasket blowing and tell you. Or did they?
Very strange!

Andy

[RCK974X]

Bugger..bad luck....

There are only 4 bolts holding the manifold on (4 each side that is), but the underneath ones are a right royal pain, even on original Fords which had some space around the block.
A narrow wall socket will *just* go on, but be careful as it's all too easy to round off the head of the nut (or bolt).

From memory I think it is possible to get at them through wheelarch, but you need at least one universal joint in your socket set and the long (10 inch ?) connector ...

[mrzigazaga]

Mr Tank said:

Funny thing is why didn't the garage who did you heads, not hear the gasket blowing and tell you. Or did they?
Very strange!

I thought the same thing andy..It was slightly blowing before they did the gaskets and they would of had to warm it up to get all the oil crud out so it was noticeable, I should of asked really..I know he was pushed for work and im an impatient bugger but it would of been easier to do them both while the heads were off as he undone the downpipe and left the manifolds on..They are on holiday for a week now so i might just leave it until they get back..Knowing my luck or what little i have of it i will end up burring the head off the nut or snapping something..I have some exhaust paste and was contemplating putting a little in it for now,It only needs to last a week?..Cheers..Ziga

[hallsie]

get it warm, turn it off and paste it mate.

Itll last a lot longer than you think!!

Stu

[mrzigazaga]

Cheers stu..I will give it a try this morning...Ziga

[barrington]

how is that 350i going stue

[Tasmin200]

Take it back to the garage. They will have had the manifolds off to do the head gaskets.

[mrzigazaga]

Tasmin200 said:

Take it back to the garage. They will have had the manifolds off to do the head gaskets.

Hi Mate..Unfortunately they didnt..But it would of been the best opportunity to fit new ones to both!!

[Jack Valiant]

Mark, cannot fathom why they would not have done the manifold gaskets....? Apart from everything else the gaskets are in the head gasket set! It was the easiest and ideal time to do them as a matter of course. I think I would have a single syllable discussion about the problem when he gets back. The only reason I can see for not doing them would be that they are seized on and he may not have wanted to sheer the studs off, either way it should have been done as part of the job

Anyway sure you will get it sorted fella

Chris

[RCK974X]

Yeah, if the blow isn't too bad, exhaust repair paste/cement will work for a while...