Repair 7

How to Remove an Exhaust Manifold

An engines exhaust manifolds sole purpose is to route the dangerous gases produced by the engine to the vehicles exhaust pipe. The exhaust manifold attaches to the side of the cylinder head. Between the cylinder head and the exhaust manifold is a gasket designed to prevent exhaust leaks. Exhaust gaskets are known to fail given enough time. When this occurs, a clapping sound can be heard emanating from the engine, and exhaust gases can enter the interior of the vehicle. To repair the exhaust leak, the exhaust manifold must be removed. Even if the gasket does not leak, the manifold must be disconnected to either replace the exhaust system or to remove the engine from the vehicle.

Instructions

1

Lift the front of the vehicle with a floor jack using the vehicles frame as a lift point, then position two jack stands underneath the frame of the vehicle. Lower the vehicle onto the jack stands with the floor jack.

2

Disconnect the exhaust manifold from the exhaust pipe from underneath the vehicle. Exhaust manifolds typically utilize two bolts to secure the exhaust pipe to the manifold. Remove these bolts with a wrench, then pull the exhaust pipe away from the manifold.

3

Remove the exhaust manifolds retaining bolts from the engines cylinder head with a wrench. There is typically one exhaust manifold retaining bolt located on each side of every manifold pipe. For example, if there are four exhaust pipes on the manifold, there will usually be a total of eight retaining bolts.

4

Pull the exhaust manifold away from the cylinder head to remove it. A stubborn exhaust manifold can be dislodged from the cylinder head without damaging the manifold by tapping on the manifold with a rubber mallet.