exhaust manifold broken bolt

[rzkas]

hi? I have a 2000 suburban 2500. I have been hearing this noise for a long time. so I decided to check the vehicle. I found a small gap between engine block and exhaust manifold on the front of the engine. two bolts are broken. how this happen I don't know.

how can I remove the exhaust manifold to replace gasket and also remove the broken bolts in the engine head/block

if I don't fix that gap will it hurt the engine or I have to fix it right away



thanks

 

[Chuzz]

I'd undo the y pipe from both sides and drop it. Then just remove all of the bolts left in the exhaust manifold. I'm not sure if you have any that screw into water passages or not. You may want to drain the radiator just in case. Hopefully there will be enough of the broken bolt left for you to put a small pipe wrench or vise grips on so you can remove them and replace them. If not, then you may have to pull the intake and that head and take it to a machine shop. Good luck with it.

 

[rzkas]

thanks. what kind of tools did you used to remove broken bolts. you heard the same problem correct? where these bolts broken flush with the engine head or there is some threads stick out of the engine head, that I can use a plier to grab and turn.

 

[Chuzz]

I can't answer that question. You aren't going to know if there's enough to of the stud to grip with vise grips or a small pipe wrench until you get the manifold off. If they're broken off flush with the head, you can center punch them and drill them out. BUT if you've never done this before, I'd suggest pulling the head and taking it to a machine shop and letting a pro do it. It will entail you pulling the intake manifold and that head, thus you'll have to buy a new head gasket, valve cover gaskets and intake manifold gasket along with the exhausts manifold gaskets too, but will still be cheaper if you do most of the labor yourself. You take it to a shop somewhere and be prepared to bend over and grab your ankles.

 

[rzkas]

thanks for the info

 

[Chuzz]

You're welcome. We're all here to try to help one another. At least that's why I'm here.

 

[Lovin my chevy]

I am experiencing this issue right now. It effects the o2 sensors and throws an engine light. Rough idle, bad gas mileage, potential Cat failure due to the issue, can't get a sticker until it is fixed!

Gm has a very very very huge issue with this as it effects Federal mandated emissions systems on millions of cars and trucks. It can cost upward of $1000.00 per side to fix the issue. There is a service bulletin on this.

In the words of the great Jim Neighbors ... Surprise, surprise , surprise
This says it all ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yG6WlBNZGI
Also.... http://www.autorepairinstructions.com/?p=224

In my opinion, People need to file a class action suite as Gm is being irresponsible by not doing a recall!

Thank you to all!

 

[VanGo]

Be sure and soak the bolts where you can with some liquid wrench type product. Overnight if possible. Use a tapping/wrapping motion when you try to loosen them. Don't try to just twist them out or they will most probably snap too.
I have the opposite problem. I have headers and header bolts. The vibrations tend to loosen the bolts so I have to tighten them periodically.

Good luck!

 

[Lovin my chevy]

A member, (Paracutin) sent me this!
It should fix the issue. I will let you all know!

(Al,
Try this fix for the broken exhaust manifold bolts. http://www.kralautoparts.com/parts.html
I installed a pair of them on my 03 Subarban and the exhaust leaks went Bye Bye. )


I ordered a set.
We will see, but it looks good!

 

[VanGo]

It's a bandaid not a cure. I wouldn't do it until I exhausted (pun intended) all other remedies. You might have enough of a stud left to grab and turn once the manifold is off. Tapping the wrench after a good soak works. YMMV

These are overexagerated statements:

Cost Savings
The traditional repair of removing the cylinder heads and manifolds and drilling the broken bolts out of the cylinder head can reach into the thousands of dollars. In our area, the costs can range from $1,200 to $3,000.
There is potential for additional damage to the cylinder heads if the traditional repair of drilling out the broken bolts is used. If the drill slips while drilling the bolt out of the cylinder head it could cause irreparable damage to the head, which means the heads would have to actually be replaced, resulting in more cost.
How about an estimate of a little time and effort alone?? Slipping? If you have to drill, it's not always the case, leaving the manifold on helps protect the head.
Permanent Fix
Even if the traditional fix is used and the broken bolts are removed and replaced; it still does not necessarily fix the problem. The factory bolts are too small and will continue to break again and again.
Our Exhaust Manifold Bolt Repair Kits are a permanent fix! The brackets will continue to prevent exhaust manifold leaks for the life of your vehicle.
This is a scare tactic. Bolts usually last the lifetime of the engine. Some anti-seize when they go back in helps a lot

 

[Lovin my chevy]

As I said, I will let you know if it works. If it doesn't I am only back $37.00 with shipping.
I would be a fool not to try this!
I have a 20 plus year back ground in manufacturing as well as precision metal and machining and in my opinion this is a solid product. We will see shortly!
Still, Lovin my Chevy

Oh, Van Go, for your headers try using harded cam style lock washers. they bite the head of the bolt and as they unscrew they have to get tighter 1st. I have never used them for headers but they should work fine.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-lock-washers/=u9jxmc

 

[VanGo]

Thanks for the tip. I may do that next time i have to go through the re-tightening.

Your fix will probably work. I just don't appreciate their sales tactic. But a guy has to make a living.

Just FYI to anyone interested. The shorty headers like the Edelbrocks I bought go on real easy once you get the old manifolds off. And they mate right up to the OEM y-pipe.