MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => Performance Related => Topic started by: ty222 on November 18, 2013, 17:15

Title: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 18, 2013, 17:15
Hi if anyone c an help me i will appreciate it greatly.

Basically my car exhaust has sounded like its been blowing for a couple of weeks, took it to kwik fit today and they said to fix the problem it would be a mere £950 -.- So i took it home took my bumper off and did some investigating. the back box seems to be fine,the problem actually sounds like it is in what i think is the manifold, it has a heat cover over it which i cannot remove as the bolts are rusted and stuck. can i snap these off or maybe hack saw them or do they go into something alot more important?

Has anyone ever had this problem with a blowing from that area? really need help asap . Thanks!!!
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please cat problem
Post by: Wabbitkilla on November 18, 2013, 17:24
The flexi pipes which are in the catalyst section can fail in time, any exhaust fabricator should be able to weld a couple of replacements in for you, for a lot less than £950.
I think KF are quoting you for a full catalyst which isn't always necessary, but then they only swap parts out, they don't tend to engage in fabrication and fixing.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please cat problem
Post by: StuC on November 18, 2013, 17:26
(http://www.mr2roc.org/Repository/misc/referencelibrary/02sensorloc/02sensorloc.jpg)

Just to confirm, is it a stock system? The manifold has the close coupled pre-cat bulges in it? Like above.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 18, 2013, 17:30
Hi thanks for the fast replies, once i have the heatshield off ill be able to hopefully locate where the problem lies alot easier. my current exhaust sysstem is completely standard nothing removed. do the bolts holding the heatshield on also hold the manifold to the engine block ?
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: AndyM on November 18, 2013, 17:45
No they don't, they only hold on the upper heat shield. The lower one has two bolts as well.

The manifold itself is held to the block with 5 studs.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 18, 2013, 19:22
thanks for the reply,still havnt got it off think i will have to saw it tomorrow  s:( :( s:(  anyone know how to exactly diagnose where the problem is once its off?
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: mrzwei on November 18, 2013, 19:56
Quote from: "ty222"thanks for the reply,still havnt got it off think i will have to saw it tomorrow  s:( :( s:(  anyone know how to exactly diagnose where the problem is once its off?

Try soaking in PlusGas, and make sure the engine is hot (mind the hands) and use a socket that fits well. They will very often just shear off anyway.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: StuC on November 19, 2013, 13:25
A set or Irwins would work for you here too.  :-) :-) :-)

I bought some last month and they worked a treat.  :-) :-) :-)
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 19, 2013, 14:57
Quote from: "StuC"A set or Irwins would work for you here too.  :-) :-) :-)

I bought some last month and they worked a treat.  :-) :-) :-)

what is an irwin?

i think i have now found the problem it is right underneath where it joins as two pipes leading off to the exhaust box.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: AndyM on November 19, 2013, 14:58
Bolt removers...
 m http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Bolt-Grip ... B0000CCXVZ (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Irwin-Bolt-Grip-Remover-394001/dp/B0000CCXVZ) m
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: nathanMR2 on November 19, 2013, 16:14
I had to use Irwins to get my 3 bolts out.

Irwins are a well worth investment
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 19, 2013, 16:41
haha wish i had heard of these before drilling through my heatshield
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 19, 2013, 18:54
could anyone please tell me where would be best to get this part from?  

(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5303/v5re.png) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/22/v5re.png/)



it is also held on by these strange star shaped type bolt with what appears to have a nuit on the end,attached is a pic to explain fuirther, does anyone know what tool i would need to get these off? i have had a socket set around them but dont want to risk rounding them off if there something i need to do first.

(http://imageshack.us/a/img809/9676/6f3w.jpg)
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Wabbitkilla on November 19, 2013, 19:07
Any Toyota dealership can supply the gaskets, they're not expensive.

What you are looking at are the end of the studs, you need a deep impact socket to fit over the nuts and drive them off, we generally call these the three amigoes, they can be quite annoying to get off. Give them a good soaking of plusgas before trying to move them.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on November 19, 2013, 19:14
The part is a flexible section of the main catalyser.
I don't believe that these separate from the main body and so you need a complete  replacement main catalyser which would be available on here from a dismantled 2.
The star shaped item needs a - female star socket- Halfords sell them in various sizes.
They are also on the ends of the manifold studs, but at that size I found it better to use 2 nuts locked together to remove the studs as the small socket required would not move the old stud.
The larger star sockets work a lot better but use ample plus gas first.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 19, 2013, 19:14
Quote from: "Wabbitkilla"Any Toyota dealership can supply the gaskets, they're not expensive.

What you are looking at are the end of the studs, you need a deep impact socket to fit over the nuts and drive them off, we generally call these the three amigoes, they can be quite annoying to get off. Give them a good soaking of plusgas before trying to move them.


thanks for the help, i have some wd40 i have just soaked them in. as for the part its not the gasket thats blowing its like two weaved pieces under the gasket its on the same pipe as the cat,no idea if they can be repaired or if ill need a whol;e new cat pipe :/
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on November 19, 2013, 19:37
P.s.
You probably won't need the female star socket, this is used to insert the stud. At the other end of the stud is a nut and that is what you want a deep socket for.
When I did mine two nuts came of the studs and one stud came out of the flange, the nut was then easily removed on the work bench. I used the female star socket to replace the stud but you can use two nuts locked together as I mentioned for the manifold studs.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: ty222 on November 19, 2013, 19:49
Quote from: "Joesson"P.s.
You probably won't need the female star socket, this is used to insert the stud. At the other end of the stud is a nut and that is what you want a deep socket for.
When I did mine two nuts came of the studs and one stud came out of the flange, the nut was then easily removed on the work bench. I used the female star socket to replace the stud but you can use two nuts locked together as I mentioned for the manifold studs.


Great answer thanks very much,i guess ill get looking for a whole new cat  s:) :) s:)
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: pauls0212 on November 19, 2013, 19:50
looks like you need a replacement cat from one of the breakers, ignore the star thing and try to undo the nuts above, on the stud, the three amigos. you will need some new crush washers as well for putting the new cat back on. Good luck
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please cat problem
Post by: AndyM on November 19, 2013, 20:01
Worth considering Wabbit's original reply...

Quote from: "Wabbitkilla"The flexi pipes which are in the catalyst section can fail in time, any exhaust fabricator should be able to weld a couple of replacements in for you.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please cat problem
Post by: ty222 on November 19, 2013, 20:37
Quote from: "AndyM"Worth considering Wabbit's original reply...

Quote from: "Wabbitkilla"The flexi pipes which are in the catalyst section can fail in time, any exhaust fabricator should be able to weld a couple of replacements in for you.

aahhh sorry completely didnt click that these were the flexipipes, i do know a welder so ill drop him a text and see what he can do
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Micha on November 21, 2013, 06:48
If you have a problem with the screw loosening try to apply the brake fluid overnight ... it will go easily
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Anonymous on February 17, 2014, 14:30
did you guys use the Irwin on the 3 amigos, or the manifold to block nuts?

The nuts are 12mm I think, so 1/2" would be the one to use...
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on February 17, 2014, 15:16
The 3 amigos let go for me with a long breaker bar and 6 sided socket ( not a multipoint, that will round the corners off the nuts),.
I started with a multipoint socket on the manifold to block nuts and succeeded in rounding the nuts off very nicely!
I had the wrong size Irwin's so ended up griding the nuts off and consequently needed 3 new manifold studs.
A six sided socket is the best starting point on a nut in good condition.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Anonymous on February 17, 2014, 15:22
Thanks...I started on the manifold to block nuts and quite quickly realised it wasn't happening. When dismantling, do you do the 3 amigos first? did you try heating it all up?
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on February 17, 2014, 18:56
It's all been said before but following is from personal experience last April:
I decided to remove the exhaust system completely to decat and fix the heat shield rattle.
First of all squirt/ spray all fixings with Plus Gas or similar, you really can't do this for too long or too much before you start.
I started with the 3 amigos and removed pipework back to the exhaust.
As above, use a 6 sided socket and a breaker bar on the 3 nuts.
If not removing the exhaust pipes/ main cat  then let them hang as they will and prop up with a block of wood/ old box or whatever.
You can then concentrate on the top heat shield and then the manifold to block nuts.
Again a six sided socket is essential.
If you have rounded these nuts then the correct size Irwin nut remover should do the job. I got the the wrong set and the sizes were either side of what was wanted!
Reluctant to spend more on another set that I would likely not use again (I hope)I ground/ filed and cursed the nuts off and damaged 3 studs in the process!
I did try running the engine to heat the fixings but this can be painful and for me was not effective.
When the fixings are removed  you can pull the manifold away from the block, but not before removing the manifold support brackets.
I took the opportunity to clean and refix all the heat shields, (these came up quite well with a wire brush on a mains electric drill) and cure the rattling shield, near the flexible section, with a jubilee clip.

I would not use a naked flame near a car!

The replacement, with new nuts and studs as required and new gaskets is a whole lot easier than the dis-assembly!
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Anonymous on February 17, 2014, 20:28
Quote from: "Joesson"It's all been said before but following is from personal experience last April:
I decided to remove the exhaust system completely to decat and fix the heat shield rattle.
First of all squirt/ spray all fixings with Plus Gas or similar, you really can't do this for too long or too much before you start.
I started with the 3 amigos and removed pipework back to the exhaust.
As above, use a 6 sided socket and a breaker bar on the 3 nuts.
If not removing the exhaust pipes/ main cat  then let them hang as they will and prop up with a block of wood/ old box or whatever.
You can then concentrate on the top heat shield and then the manifold to block nuts.
Again a six sided socket is essential.
If you have rounded these nuts then the correct size Irwin nut remover should do the job. I got the the wrong set and the sizes were either side of what was wanted!
Reluctant to spend more on another set that I would likely not use again (I hope)I ground/ filed and cursed the nuts off and damaged 3 studs in the process!
I did try running the engine to heat the fixings but this can be painful and for me was not effective.
When the fixings are removed  you can pull the manifold away from the block, but not before removing the manifold support brackets.
I took the opportunity to clean and refix all the heat shields, (these came up quite well with a wire brush on a mains electric drill) and cure the rattling shield, near the flexible section, with a jubilee clip.

I would not use a naked flame near a car!

The replacement, with new nuts and studs as required and new gaskets is a whole lot easier than the dis-assembly!

Thanks for the detailed information. The problem is, I've searched and searched but there are so many references to decat, precat, manifold that trawling through all the threads hasn't yielded the info you've kindly taken the time to type...so thank you !
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on February 17, 2014, 21:11
Pleased to be of some help.
One thing I do have is plenty of spare time so ask away!
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Anonymous on February 18, 2014, 22:02
All done bar one nut which has rounded (a manifold nut) - I'm going to get some Irwin nut removers tomorrow and see how i get on. 3 amigos were surprisingly easy!
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on February 19, 2014, 09:57
Almost on the home straight!
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Anonymous on February 19, 2014, 10:13
Quote from: "Joesson"Almost on the home straight!
indeed, thanks for your help   s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on February 19, 2014, 12:57
I used a little Copaslip (high temp anti seize compound) on the threads when installing believing this will make it less of a chore if the nuts need to come off again.
Don't worry about the smell when you start her up and run for the first few times, that is the Plus Gas etc burning off.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Joesson on February 19, 2014, 13:48
Sorry!also note:
Tighten the (new) manifold lock nuts progressively from centre and finally to 37Nm/27lbft
Similarly with the 3 Amigos, progressively from centre, finally to 62Nm/46lbf.
Your O2 sensors torque figure is 44Nm/32lbft.
I used copaslip on the sensors thread when I re fitted these, not too much as you don't want the sensors sniffing it!
My NGK sensors came with this or similar pre applied.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: Anonymous on February 19, 2014, 21:27
What can I say; Irwin nut removers are the best thing since sliced bread! Manifold now off and cat dropped too. Ready for shiney new parts  s:) :) s:)

Thanks for the torque values. Going to order some studs and nuts now.
Title: Re: Urgent help needed please manifold problem
Post by: adeyk9 on January 30, 2015, 11:04
 anyway just a quick question i have a pre gutted standard manifold that someone is giving me.for 50 with delivery ill.put my cat on ebay if its not damaged hopefully. What i needed help with is basically when i remove the original precats do i need to buy 3 manifold nuts? aka 3 amigos and gasket rings anything else ive missed would appreciate your help.