Hello Scotty!
I replaced the exhaust manifold gasket on my 02 Camry 2.4L (217k miles) with an OEM gasket from Toyota.
Once the old one was off, I put everything back together, but unfortunately, I'm still having a leak. I went over and tightened the nuts again, but I don't want to tighten them further because I'll run the risk of stripping them.
I'm suspecting that the surface on the engine head is somehow not flat anymore for some reason, because the leak is still as bad as it was before.
Any suggestions on how to fix this problem?
Pictures:
https://postimg.cc/gallery/pFNDSWw
Thank you!
David De Jesus
Did you clean the mating surfaces really well and torque the fasteners to specification?
That 23-year-old exhaust manifold may have warped a bit. (That's more likely than the head being warped.)
@chucktobias Yes, I did clean the surfaces very well, but also gently, keeping in mind that the head is aluminum and I was using a wire brush with the head about the size of my thumbnail.
I have to mention I have replaced this exhaust manifold before (about 4 years ago) with an aftermarket one and reused the gasket.
Do you think it is possible that the manifold itself is warped? I think so myself because I bought it off eBay for like $70
Very good chance that's your problem. Do you have 1 leak or 2? From your pics it looks like it might be leaking from both ends of the manifold. The smell inside the cab is to be expected..Do you think it is possible that the manifold itself is warped? I think so myself because I bought it off eBay for like $70
@hixster I definitely have 2 leaks, or possibly even more from what I see, the soot is scattered everywhere under the hood. Do you know any good quality manifolds I can purchase online? It doesn't make sense to go OEM because they're $1500+ with taxes
@david-masterdd-99 I would probably check with an Advanced Auto's parts to see if I could get a 'going out of business' pricing first, see if I could get a good deal on an aftermarket unit. Might try a junkyard and a car I'm confident didn't overheat. < 2nd choice.
@david-masterdd-99 My recommendations' order is wrong (above) - my first choice would be a new OEM manifold, my 2nd choice would be OEM used, third choice would be aftermarket unit.
Do you think it is possible that the manifold itself is warped? I think so myself because I bought it off eBay for like $70
That is highly likely, it's amazing an ebay knockoff part even worked properly when new. Check it for warpage.
@chucktobias Got it. I'll have to get the manifold replaced then. Do you know any good quality manifolds I can purchase online? It doesn't make sense to go OEM because they're $1500+ with taxes
I would check what you have first to make sure that's the problem. I don't know of any particular aftermarket part that would be good. Maybe Dorman makes a replacement but their parts tend to be spotty, some good and some not so good. You could always buy another ebay cheapie and get a few more years out of it. After all that car is old enough that it's not likely a long-term proposition in any event.
I also have to mention that aside from the visible soot that the leak is causing, there are exhaust fumes getting inside the cabin, especially at highway speeds, so this is sort of an urgent problem that I have to fix because it is my daily driver.