My friend Is got a 89 firebird with a 2.8l engine...He thinks its got a blown manifold gasket from the noise it makes...He wants to make sure its a blown manifold gasket before he goes to the trouble to replace it...
HOW WOULD HE BE ABLE TO TELL???
What problems does it cause?? any noises??

his car makes a noise on the passenger's side of the engine...around the Manifold/Y-pipe ...like a clicking noise...specially when he accelerates

 

Stick your hand down by the pipe (when its cold so you dont burn yourself accidentally) and feel for air puffing out around the joint. Or if its bad enough, just listen for it.

 

I hear like a clicking noise coming from it...could you describe a gasket leak noise?? Thanks

 

The exhaust donuts suck and blow out, royal PITA, gonna end up doing em both, studs will just twist off, end up drilling out all 4 fun.

 

Yes it can make a ticking noise. And ill agree w/ gumby, youre probably gonna have bolts twist off that youre going to have to drill out.

 

how hard is it to remove/replace it by my self??...on the Haynes manual its only like 8 steps...but with all the drilling that could be involved (what size bolts would I need to replace broken ones?)

Someone offered to do it for me for $150
Do you think that's a fair price for ONE side of the engine manifold gasket (right side)

 

If youre not taking the manifold off, i would think $150 is a bit high. If you are taking it off, depending on how many break off in the head, that could be a good price. depends on if you wanna give it a shot yourself, or not really. As far as bolt size, couldnt tell ya. i dont have that memorized.

 

Wait...dont you have to take the manifold off to change the gasket??

I would like to give it a try by my self first...how hard is it to take the bolts off if they break wghile comming out?? (any techniches, recomendations)

Whats the best way to go about it...I have the Haynes manual...would that be the best way?

 

Mke sure you get some PB Blaster or something similar and if you get the bolt to turn a little just keep working it back and forth while spraying it with PB till it comes out more and more, mine still has 3 broken in each side dint have the time or resources to drill them out.

 

Yes, definitely soak the hell out of those in PB blaster, more than once. dont use air tools either. Do you have any access to a torch or anything? even a propane torch might help somewhat. If they break off, once the pipe/manifold (whatever youre trying to get the gasket replaced for) is off, you can try a vicegrips to get the broken bolt out. if you have a torch, heat around, NOT ON, the bolt to stretch the hole and maybe be able to break it loose that way.

otherwise, youll have to cut it off short, almost flush, get a starter punch and make a dent in the middle of the bolt, and use small bits in stepped levels to drill a hole in it. buy some easy outs and cross your fingers, lol.

 

Alright...Thanks fpr the input...I just bought the PB blaster....and going to start spraying today...until sunday...When I plan to replace them...Hope none of them break!!! (cross fingers)

 

Here's my s worth: before you try to loosen them, soak the bolts with Aero Kroil. threr's also this stuff from CRC that freezes the rust and my buddy says it works better than Aero Kroil.

 

Here's my s worth: before you try to loosen them, soak the bolts with Aero Kroil. there's also this stuff from CRC that freezes the rust and my buddy says it works better than Aero Kroil.