Hey guys, just failed inspection for this leak, was looking for some tips before I go fooling around areas I'm not familiar with. Its a '94 teg, is this a common problem? I did recently do some work, I had to replace the oil pan gasket, and when I lowered the exhaust manifold to lift out the pan I replaced the 2 metal donut gaskets. The gaskets I used were from AutoZone, and unfortunately they were slightly different. The guy told me both were designed for my car, one was a higher performance type and seemed slightly thicker but he said it wouldn't be a problem. Could that possibly be causing my leak? Or is it most likely something else. Even better, what steps could I possibly go through to diagnose the source myself, to avoid paying an arm and a leg at a local shop.

 

If one of those gaskets was thicker than the other then thats ur problem. U shud be able to pin point it urself. Maybe when is cold, start it up and put ur hand around that part. If its leaking there u'll hear i hitting ur hand. It shudnt get too hot too fast but be careful. Thats how I find my exhaust leaks. I guess u could wear gloves

 

Yeah my problem is all of the bolts on the heat shield, as well as those connecting the flange to the manifold are rusted and siezed, and I'm worried about breaking them all attempting to take it apart. Debating replacing the entire section of pipe simply because it is so badly corroded.

 

Buy some of that penetrating oil in a spray can. Read the directions and let it set for a while. It really does work like magic. Isnt this the same thing that u took apart to replace the two donuts?

 

Yup, my neighbor torched the flange bolts off and we replaced them with new ones last year when it was worked on, I'm worried about destroying the threads if I take the bolts out again. Heat shield I can't get off even with bolt grip sockets, not sure what I'm gonna do at this point, maybe try PB blaster? Can't remember if that stuff is flammable or not?