Exhaust leak at the head

[M1Accord]

My friend says my Bronco sounds like it has an exhaust leak at the head. I have no clue what he means by that. How does one check if there is an exhaust leak at the head and what does that mean anyway. Additionally, how much does it cost to fix it?

Thanks.

 

[OVERKILL]

The manifold is probably cracked. VERY COMMON.

Get a set of headers for it

 

[M1Accord]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
The manifold is probably cracked. VERY COMMON.

Get a set of headers for it

What price range am I looking at? I am going to have it done when it comes in for inspection next March.

 

[OVERKILL]

Here's a pair of 'em for $159.00:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9035/

 

[morris]

to find the leak get a very small hose, ie like for vacuum, put one end to your ear put the other end to the leak. it wont be hard to find. when you put it back together, use anti-sieze compound on ALL threads. then it will come apart next time. all so use it on exhaust threads, and pipe to pipe conections

 

[M1Accord]

How would I be able to check if I have a cracked head? Would a compression test tell me? What tools do I need for a compression test? I don't have any tool beside a few wrenches as I typically don't have to do such tasks.

 

[OVERKILL]

Not a cracked HEAD, a cracked MANIFOLD. I've never heard of a Windsor cracking a head. But they do like to crack their exhaust manifolds. Often times it is easier (and far less expensive) to just replace them with a set of headers, like the ones I mentioned above.

 

[ag_ghost]

Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Not a cracked HEAD, a cracked MANIFOLD. I've never heard of a Windsor cracking a head. But they do like to crack their exhaust manifolds. Often times it is easier (and far less expensive) to just replace them with a set of headers, like the ones I mentioned above.


Huh? I've been around and had Fords of many varieties for > 30 years and have NEVER had or heard of a cracked exhaust manifold. Do we even know if the OP has a V8 Windsor or an in-line six? Don't get me wrong, headers have their place of course, but replacing parts without knowing the real problem or cause is spending money for the fun of it.
Do what Morris said first. Get the oil checked for excessive coolant. If the head or block is cracked, plenty of coolant and/or oil will be evident. Could be something as simple as some emission parts failing or spark plugs installed incorrectly.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: ag_ghost
Originally Posted By: OVERK1LL
Not a cracked HEAD, a cracked MANIFOLD. I've never heard of a Windsor cracking a head. But they do like to crack their exhaust manifolds. Often times it is easier (and far less expensive) to just replace them with a set of headers, like the ones I mentioned above.


Huh? I've been around and had Fords of many varieties for > 30 years and have NEVER had or heard of a cracked exhaust manifold. Do we even know if the OP has a V8 Windsor or an in-line six? Don't get me wrong, headers have their place of course, but replacing parts without knowing the real problem or cause is spending money for the fun of it.
Do what Morris said first. Get the oil checked for excessive coolant. If the head or block is cracked, plenty of coolant and/or oil will be evident. Could be something as simple as some emission parts failing or spark plugs installed incorrectly.


1. It's a Bronco with a 351W in it.

2. I replaced a cracked manifold (VERY COMMON) on a similar vintage F-150 about two years ago. The manifold that was being replaced was already a replacement. It is VERY COMMON on the trucks. Not on the cars.

3. Never heard of a cracked exhaust manifold on a Ford? Seriously? My Expedition cracked one last year. My parent's Expedition cracked one the year before. This is FAR from a rare event.

4. I'm not telling him to go blindly buy a set of bloody headers. Find the leak first. If it is a cracked manifold, there will likely be visible carbon on the manifold where it is cracked. You can feel around for the exhaust leak as well. Headers are less expensive than manifolds, which is why I suggested them, and they will bolt to the stock exhaust.

It is FAR more likely that it is an exhaust leak caused by a broken exhaust stud, the EGR tube rusting off, or a manifold cracking than it is anything mechanically wrong with the engine.

Threads on the topic:
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/650395-what-will-a-cracked-exhaust-manifold-do.html
http://www.plowsite.com/showthread.php?t=85966
http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1050640-5-8-exhaust-manifolds.html

 

[bdcardinal]

Cracked manifolds are super common on many different engines with Ford. We do the 5.4 3V manifolds maybe one set a month. We have a New Edge 3.8L Mustang getting 2 new manifolds since one had a hole rotted in it and the other was cracked in half.

I love Ford, but they do sure know how to make manifolds crack, both intake and exhaust.

 

[artificialist]

Hopefully a stud doesn't break off when removing the old manifold. That makes the job far more difficult to handle.

 

[MarkM66]

You sure love to make multiple post on the same subject.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...008#Post2279008

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Hopefully a stud doesn't break off when removing the old manifold. That makes the job far more difficult to handle.


Every time I sell an exhaust manifold i also sell all the hardware, studs and nuts on the head side, gaskets if they take any, and the studs and nuts for the catalyst assemblies.

 

[mechtech2]

This could be as simple as tightening the exhaust manifold bolts, to repairing a broken stud, to a cracked manifold [requiring replacement].
Costs are from $0 to $500 or more. Other adjacent parts may be stuck or broken.