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Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: marlcdx on 14 December 2008, 13:57:17

Title: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: marlcdx on 14 December 2008, 13:57:17
Just took my car down to Kwik Fit for what I thought was the exhaust.  The Guy there has told me the exhaust is fine, the problem is the Manifold Gasket is blowing from the block?

Is this is easy to do yourself and do you need any special tools, or am I best taking it to a garage. :-?
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: zirk on 14 December 2008, 14:06:47
Quote
Just took my car down to Kwik Fit for what I thought was the exhaust.  The Guy there has told me the exhaust is fine, the problem is the Manifold Gasket is blowing from the block?

Is this is easy to do yourself and do you need any special tools, or am I best taking it to a garage. :-?

could be a gasket, More likley to be a sheared bolt causing the problem. Fairly common on 2.0 ecotecs Im told.
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: mick-1975 on 14 December 2008, 14:12:13
i had the same problem with mine . easy to take off and do your self but more than likely the two front bolts have snapped , which means drilling out  with the head off  :y
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: Pete2897pds on 14 December 2008, 14:21:58
I've had this problem - i found 2 manifold studs had broken. This can be a problem with this engine so i'm told.
To remove the manifold is not hard on the inline 4 but harder on the V6. on the inline 4 (2.0 or2.2) you will need Torx sockets to remove the heat shield. take care with the wiring of the lambda sensor. If you are lucky the stud will be broken proud of the gasket surface so you can remove the stud with a stud extractor, if its flush with the gasket surface it will need drilling out and i suggest that this is best left to a garage.
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: vauxnut on 15 December 2008, 07:17:50
i had to do ex gasket on my 4 potter ,3 broken studs.get a 6mm l/h drill bit,as you drill l/h drill acts as an extractor and on all three removed with no problems.i also removed the thermostat housing for ease of access(mask over stat hsg to stop any bits getting into water system). :y
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: Seth on 15 December 2008, 11:26:01
This happened on my previous 2.0 Ecotec .......

The front two studs had snapped flush with the cylinder head.
I used an right-angle adaptor in my drill with a shortened 1/8th drill bit. Then used an 'easy-out' and wound out both broken studs fairly easily. Also fitted a new gasket from Vx - no further probs.

Be careful though, you have to drill the broken stud(s) dead centrally.
Failing this, it's head off to effect removal ........ !
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: bappy on 15 December 2008, 13:04:25
And when it comes to replacing, go to a hardware store and get some high tensile stainless steel bolts to replace the snapped ones. Those ought not snap again...
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 15 December 2008, 13:12:53
Quote
Just took my car down to Kwik Fit for what I thought was the exhaust.  The Guy there has told me the exhaust is fine, the problem is the Manifold Gasket is blowing from the block?

Is this is easy to do yourself and do you need any special tools, or am I best taking it to a garage. :-?

Sorry, but when Kwik Fitup are involved always get a second opinion, and never let them touch such a job if it is really the exhaust manifold studs! :o :o :o

Just my opinion from much past experience! >:( >:(
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: Darth Loo-knee on 15 December 2008, 19:12:44
I must agree with whats been said especially Lizzie.

I would have a look yourself and hope if the bolts have broken that they are sticking out a little abling you to get some grips on  :y
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: FT on 16 December 2008, 14:00:50
Just out of interest...what's the symptoms of the manifold gasket blowing? FT.
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: Seth on 16 December 2008, 14:48:16
Quote
Just out of interest...what's the symptoms of the manifold gasket blowing? FT.

Usually a 'chuffing' noise, especially noticeable when the engine's cold, and depending on how many/which studs are broken.
On these 2.0 Ecotecs, it's usually the two studs on No.1 cylinder that fail in my experience.
Title: Re: Manifold Gasket Blowing
Post by: FT on 16 December 2008, 14:59:06
thanks for the info... :y