Rep Power: 0

Hi all,

I took my 2003 em2 to a shop and paid them like $150 to tell me I need new rear tires, my power steering is out, I have a bent front control arm, and my exhaust manifold is rusty. Anyways I'm trying to fix the exhaust manifold problem next after I did the power steering. The motor is fairly loud, smell exhaust gas in the cabin sometimes, the car seems to be doing worse on mpg (still waiting to calculate until I refill), and it does feel kinda underpowered. I looked at the manifold today and with the soapy water test it bubbles a little at the top of the manifold. However, I also found out that one of the cat spring-bolts is missing, replaced by a shorter, regular bolt. I haven't been able to detect a leak coming from there but I figure it should still be fixed. I'm hearing another noise when I plug the muffler and run the car that sounds like a rhythmic hissing?
Should I just liquid gasket the top and the flange and re-install the spring bolt or are there other items I should check?

Thanks sorry for rambling. Let me know if there's already a good thread for this!

 
Rep Power: 222

They tend to crack at the top where all the pipes join up underneath the heat shield if it's still attached. I welded mine
you can get a kit that has 2 new bolts, springs and nuts for under $20 that joint needs to be able to move a bit that's why there's springs

 
Rep Power: 243

Exhaust manifolds get rusty. Does it have a leak? It’s probably leaking at the cat with it missing that spring bolt and since you smell fumes in the cabin. I’d take it all apart and check the whole exhaust system (including the manifold). The donut gaskets might be bad and not making a good seal.

 
Rep Power: 0

Hi Collin

Want to ask about your experience with welding a cracked exhaust manifold. I have a 01 Civic LX Sedan with a crack at the 4th cylinder where the tube join to the flange. What was your experience with welding like? How long did it last/hold? And what kind of weldiing method did you use that worked for you? Thanks a lot!!! i want to maximize my chance of success. I am in CA so a CARB compliant is too expensive for a car with 220k on it already.

 
Rep Power: 222

Just used a 120v flux core welder, clean the area you're welding and use a good amount of heat. Lasted until the car was written off a year later. Probably would still be going otherwise