Repair 7

How to Eliminate Exhaust Fumes in a Mustang

As a result of the air/fuel mixture igniting within the engine, the engine produces carbon monoxide. That carbon monoxide, generically referred to as "exhaust," is routed out of the engine and to the back of the vehicle via exhaust manifolds and pipes. Two gaskets within the exhaust system prevent the exhaust fumes from escaping the exhaust system before they reach the end of the exhaust pipe. If either of these gaskets fail, exhaust fumes will be present and the gaskets will need to be replaced. Doing so on a Mustang is fairly straightforward.

Instructions

1

Ensure that the engine is cool for at least three hours, as the temperature of exhaust components can easily burn exposed skin.

2

Disconnect the exhaust manifold from the cylinder head. The exhaust manifold attaches to the side of the cylinder head with several large retaining bolts. If the engine has eight cylinders, there will be a total of eight retaining bolts. If the engine has six cylinders, the manifold will have six bolts. Remove these bolts with a wrench, then pull the manifold away from the cylinder head.

3

Remove the exhaust manifold gasket. Between the exhaust manifold and the cylinder head is a single gasket. Oftentimes, the gasket will stick to the cylinder head when the manifold is removed. Peel the gasket away from the cylinder head, then scrape any remaining gasket material off the cylinder head with the blade of a flat head screwdriver.

4

Disconnect the bottom of the exhaust manifold from the exhaust pipe. The exhaust manifold features two studs at the back of the manifold. These two studs slide through two holes at the tip of the exhaust pipe, and are held in place with two nuts. Remove the two nuts with a wrench, then pull the manifold away from the exhaust pipe to disconnect to two components. Remove the single exhaust gasket from the bottom of the exhaust manifold.

5

Slide a new exhaust gasket over the two studs on the back of the exhaust manifold, then insert the two studs through the two holes on the tip of the exhaust pipe. Install and tighten the two nuts onto the tips of the manifolds studs with a wrench.

6

Place a new exhaust manifold gasket onto the portion of the manifold that rests against the side of the cylinder head, then press the manifold and gasket against the cylinder head.

7

Slide each of the exhaust manifolds retaining bolts through the manifold and into the cylinder head, then tighten each of the bolts with a wrench to complete the repair.