Spark plugs wires cost less than $100/set. If you don’t replace them on time, you’ll damage a $1,000 catalytic converter. Coolant leaks caused by gasket failures are a sure way to contaminate a catalytic converter. The chemicals in coolant coat the surface of the honeycomb brick, rendering it useless.
- How To Patch A Cracked Manifold Catalytic Converter Kit
- How To Patch A Cracked Manifold Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost
Exhaust leaks on a vehicle cannot only be annoying but also dangerous; sometimes leaks can lead to the release of carbon monoxide that enters the passenger cabin. The exhaust systems starts at the exhaust manifold gasket and travels through the exhaust manifold, header pipe, catalytic converter, mufflers or resonators and out the exhaust pipe. Cracked exhaust manifolds are one of the more serious leaks since they receive the initial combustion gases from the cylinders. A competent DIY repair person can find an exhaust manifold crack by using a few simple techniques and tools.
Step 1
Place the vehicle in 'park' for an automatic and 'neutral' for a manual transmission. Firmly set the emergency brake. You can perform an exhaust manifold check while the vehicle sits in a garage, but leave the garage door open for optimum ventilation. Start the engine and raise the hood.
How To Patch A Cracked Manifold Catalytic Converter Kit
Step 2
Lean over the fender panel nearest to the exhaust manifold if you have a small 4- or 6-cylinder in-line model engine. For a V-6 or V-8, choose one side of the vehicle. Listen carefully for any noise that resembles a click, popping or plapping sound that comes with a regular firing cycle of the engine. A crack in one of the lead pipes attached to an exhaust port will make this sound with regularity -- every time that cylinder fires. A crack further down inside the manifold collecting chamber will have a more muffled exhaust leak noise. Check both sides in the case of a V-6 or V-8.
Step 3
How To Patch A Cracked Manifold Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost
Lean over different points of the exhaust manifold, from the front of the engine to the rear. Smell for any odor that resembles raw gas, or a sickly sweet odor, which is a sign of raw carbon emissions. A cracked exhaust manifold will emit a very strong smell of unburned gas, since it has not passed through the catalytic converter and muffler. Look for telltale signs of black smoke coming from the manifold -- evidence of rich, unburned fuel. Have an assistant rev the engine a few times and look for black or dark gray gaseous plumes.
Step 4
Don a stethoscope and place the probe over the valve covers of the engine. Listen intently for any mechanical clicking or clacking as you move the probe over the entire length of the valve cover. For V-6 and V-8 engines, check both valve covers. If you hear such a noise originating from a certain spot on the valve cover, you can safely rule out an exhaust leak. If you hear no such noises, run the probe over different parts of the exhaust manifold. A leak in the exhaust manifold will set up tiny vibrations, and you will detect it in the stethoscope.
Step 5
Use a floor jack to lift the vehicle high enough to place two jack stands under the rear frame and two jack stands under the front frame. Hook up a portable smoke machine to your exhaust pipe, according to the directions in the kit. Place the pipe cone adaptor over the exhaust outlet hole and turn the smoke machine on. Let it pressurize the entire exhaust system. For a dual exhaust system, use the kit adaptor to plug the other exhaust pipe. The engine should not be running for this test.
Look for the white smoke from the smoke machine, which will leak from any hole or crack in the exhaust system. Start at the tailpipe and work toward the front of the engine. You will discover an [exhaust manifold leak](https://itstillruns.com/exhaust-manifold-leak-5040401.html) immediately by the white color of smoke exiting the manifold crack. If the smoke machine kit comes with a halogen or UV light, use the light to better see the smoke emissions. Use an angled inspection mirror to look under the manifold for hidden leaks.
Items you will need
- Assistant
- Stethoscope
- Floor jack
- Jack stands
- Smoke machine
- Inspection mirror
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Active2 years, 5 months ago
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I got rear ended and the exhaust pipe was mashed forward causing the crack in my Catalytic converter's weld. Or perhaps, it just worsened the crack if it was too small to notice before. The crack does NOT go all the way around. I have not had a CEL appear and have had the crack for 1k+ miles.
To me, the crack appears to be in a spot that could be welded. I am looking for suggestions from folks with exhaust work experience, what is the most sensible approach to fixing this crack? Obviously, the goal is to avoid replacing the otherwise healthy cat. Thanks:
I am thinking, at minimum, a few spot welds would stick. I could then use a patching material of some sort? Ideas?
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justinm410justinm410
2 Answers
I took it to an auto exhaust shop that is well known (according to reviews) in the area for their skilled welding work. They lowered the exhaust and sealed up the cat's crack with no issues for $170. In fact, they knew it was the catalytic converter before I even told them. Apparently, it is common issue on the Mercedes W211 E-Class cats.
Unfortunately, there must also be crack in the manifold. So, junk yard parts are on the way for that, as well. Not quite ready to take the plunge on the aftermarket options.
Takeaways- getting hit from behind can really mess up your exhaust and if something doesn't sound right after a repair, it probably isn't right. Oh well.
justinm410justinm410
It looks like there are two joints that are cracked there, the smaller one that connects to the pipe looks cracked too?.. I'd have the cat/pipe removed and tig welded. With tig you should be able to use minimal filler material and end up with a more original looking finish.
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