Car exhaust manifold gasket

How to detect the exhaust manifold gaskets failure

You can check the part integrity visually. For this purpose, first remove the heat shield that covers the manifold, and then unscrew all the bolts connecting it to the exhaust pipe and the cylinder. Now, having access to the part, you can examine it. If the gasket is warped, became thin, or there are soot traces on it, then it requires replacement.

You may identify that the exhaust manifold gaskets require to be diagnosed by the following symptoms:

• smell of exhaust gas is felt in the passenger compartment;
• changes in the engine operation: it starts up with difficulties, stalls for no reason;
• an abnormal sound is heard from the engine compartment while the engine is running.

Causes of exhaust manifold gaskets failure

Since gaskets are continuously exposed to high temperatures, they wear out quite fast. Regular replacement of gaskets is normal for both old and new vehicles. However, poor quality components lose their performance properties and need replacement much faster.

Overheating of the engine in severe road conditions, as well as reaching a high mileage within a short period, also reduce the useful life of the exhaust manifold gaskets.

Repair and replacement of exhaust manifold gaskets

If the gasket has failed, it is not repairable. You can only replace it. This procedure can be performed at any service station, but if you want, you can do it on your own. For replacing the exhaust manifold gasket, proceed as follows:

1. Open the vehicle hood.
2. Dismantle the heat shield.
3. Dismantle the manifold, after unscrewing all the bolts that attach it to the exhaust pipe and to the engine cylinder  block.
4. Remove the burnt-out gasket. Often its residues stick to the manifold, they should be removed, and the area should be thoroughly smoothed.
5. Treat the cleaned surface with a graphite grease and install a new gasket.
6. Reassemble in reverse order.