Is this normal? I can stick my finger into the manifold?

[AdverseKing]

Hi everyone,

Just getting my car ready for the track on the weekend and just noticed my finger disappeared into a hole behind the right hand side of the engine, into the manifold.

The picture below shows what I mean - is this normal or am I missing something here??

Thanks

 

[Lil-slugger]

Tbh that doesnt look right. Can you feel anything such as the gases coming out??
is the exhaust over loud (blowing)

 

[MartinR]

No that isn't normal

 

[Greeny.]

Judging by the large amount of exhaust paste on the other side of the pipe I would have you have an issue there!

 

[AdverseKing]

hmm..crap... well... I've only had the car since march. always did have a feeling that the amount of heat coming up from behind the engine seemed a fair bit.. not sure about being 'blowy'. There are certainly no 'startling' sounds.

here is a side picture?

so what's odd with it then?

 

[AdverseKing]

Judging by the large amount of exhaust paste on the other side of the pipe I would have you have an issue there!

yea a covered the manifold in it a few months ago. I only run it for track days and when whenever I turn it on after leaving it a long while I get a bit of smoke coming from somewhere behind the engine. So I decided just to plaster it all up cos I couldn't trace the problem (and can't afford a new manifold if it was cracked).

I can't get my head around what's wrong though, the manifold can't be anymore flush cos the bolts are tight but there is still a gap?

I can't run it right now cos everything's packed up for the night. This shall be the obvious thing to do tomorrow after work. - very confused

 

[Lil-slugger]

Looks to not be seated correctly or even no gasket ...
there would be some flames coming out of that bad boy on full chat!

 

[Greeny.]

http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2077 ?

 

[AdverseKing]

http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2077 ?

can it be true.. I have no gasket.... unbelievable ........:dapprove: what muppet would have done that. Not the kind of thing I check when I buy a car though...but I shall from now on!

 

[Lil-slugger]

It doesnt suprise me tbh
but id deffinetly say thats the issue

 

[Greeny.]

I am by no means an expert but it definitely looks like you have no gasket.

 

[MartinR]

Looking at it from the side in the above picture the place you can get your finger is the contour/shape of the block so no need to worry about that.

Itis hard to tell whether or not there is a gasket fitted though

 

[AdverseKing]

ok, thanks very much. Hopefully try n get a gasket on before the weekend.

would fitting just be, support the cat with a jack and undo the manifold to engine nuts - wriggle the gasket over the studs and tighten back up?

 

[Greeny.]

Looking at it from the side in the above picture the place you can get your finger is the contour/shape of the block so no need to worry about that.

Itis hard to tell whether or not there is a gasket fitted though

Looking at the pic of the gasket it looks as though you would be able to see if it was fitted imo

 

[Laine_16v]

Lol it appears someone thought toothpaste would be a good substitue for a gasket. THey can be a bit of a pig to fit in situ aswell. All manifold bolts are easy to get to, but pulling the manifold clear of the studs to slip a new gasket in can be quite awkward!

 

[Lil-slugger]

Hahaha that genuinley made me giggle haha.... Sensadine does wonders

 

[MrDave]

Heres to hoping all the studs arent covered in exhaust paste :rasp: