In my never ending quest to get my Evo right, there are always obstacles.

If you remember my earlier thread on the topic:
https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sh...d.php?t=368255

I was told by simply removing the stainless manifold studs I had, and putting back the stockers would resolve the issue. So after realizing I needed to replace my rear diff for some reason, I decided to do it all in one shot and had new OE manifold studs put back in with my new TRE Maxx Lock diff. (review later)

One week goes by and the rear diff is dandy, the manifold however...








Mind you, I had the head pulled at AMS and the HG was re done per my request, the valve guides/seals were also replaced as well as all the gaskets. WTH is going on? I am at a loss.

 

Damn man, I have the same issue. I posted in that thread too I think... I too was going to replace my studs and my exhaust gasket here soon..


One thing I was thinking...and I may be WAY off.

But I notice whenever I wash my car, when water hits the hot exhaust manifold, you can hear it steam...Is there any way it possibly is warping the flange of the exhaust mani??? Thus a bit of leakage occurring on the mani? I may be way off, but this is what I'm worried about. Did you check to see if your manifold was straight and not warped?

 

I actually have not checked it, never even thought of it.

Can you warp cast iron?

 

I have no idea, but water touching that hot manifold (which I've done many times now that I think about it. I drive a bit to get my car washed...) can't be good for it?!

I hope someone chimes in, because I have all the parts ready, but I'm not going to do this until we get an answer to what is going on...

 

I do agree that I have washed my car and my bay many times. While I only clean my bay warm, when I go through the touch less wash, it douses the manifold even with the vent on. Surely, there would be more with this issue than just us.

 

That's what I'd like to think, but I'm not sure what else would be causing this...

You should really give AMS a call or pm them about this thread and see what they think?


Someone help us out!

 

yOU can warp cast iron..hot /cold cycles. Mitsu does take into account of water..ie rain. I've never heard of a stock manifold crack or warped, however, there is a first for everything.

Have you guys done a boost leak test? When the system is pressurized are you getting bubbles around the manifold?

 

When you had your OEM studs put back in, did you use RTV to seal it? It seems like the studs is the most credible answer to your problems. To the guy that keep saying he has never removed his manifold, why is it leaking... Have you ever seen a nut get loose by itself? It happens all of the time. Especially on an engine where it is vibrating all of the time. Try re-tightening your studs with RTV sealant. Oh btw. why did OP start another thread on same issue?

 

I did part two to show that the OE studs like suggested in the first thread were not the culprit. I'll use some hi temp sealant this time around and see what happens.


Don't worry, I won't make a new thread.

 

Good luck with it man. I have never seen this happen before, but if mines start to do it, I will have an idea of what is going on.

 

Im pretty sure there are oil galleys behind the exhaust manifold studs, how tight did u thread them into the head??

 

They are in there per spec. my only other options is to use a hi temp type sealant and see where that takes me.

 

There are oil gallaries behind some of the studs. They are what is causing the oil to leak (they are leaking past the studs).

As far as the "warping manifold" theory, thats fine and dandy, but what does that have to do with oil? Nothing.

Reinstall the studs properly. Use a tiny bit of copper based RTV or high temp stuff, but don't go ape **** with it.

 

The studs may not be in all the way. If not, it doesnt matter how tight the nuts are, they bottom out.

 

The studs need silicone, simple enough.