Exhaust Seal

[Retrospekt]

My exhaust has a hole in between the engine block (or headers. I don't know, I'm no expert) and the very start of the exhaust. My mechanic told me this is a seal, and he can do the job for me for 100 dollars.

What is this seal called exactly? I'm trying to see if I can obtain the part cheaper.

And is this something I can replace myself?

Thanks.

[ghettosled]

the main components is the engine head, then exhaust manifold (aftermarket version of this is called a header), then primary catalytic converter (specific to 95 and 96 camrys) then the flex pipe and secondary cat section.

if the leak it between the head and exhaust manifold, $100 shop fix is reasonable. its not hard to replace that gasket, just as long as the bolts arent seized in place (which these bolts can easily be). gasket can probably be purchased at any parts store. one can be made from gasket material, but it will take some time to trace and cut it out.

if the leak is between the exhaust manifold and primary cat, there is an o-ring gasket that is about 1/8" of an inch thick and it pretty easy to replace as there are only a handful of bolts to remove.

[Retrospekt]

Originally Posted by ghettosled

the main components is the engine head, then exhaust manifold (aftermarket version of this is called a header), then primary catalytic converter (specific to 95 and 96 camrys) then the flex pipe and secondary cat section.

if the leak it between the head and exhaust manifold, $100 shop fix is reasonable. its not hard to replace that gasket, just as long as the bolts arent seized in place (which these bolts can easily be). gasket can probably be purchased at any parts store. one can be made from gasket material, but it will take some time to trace and cut it out.

if the leak is between the exhaust manifold and primary cat, there is an o-ring gasket that is about 1/8" of an inch thick and it pretty easy to replace as there are only a handful of bolts to remove.

So you're basically saying I need to find out if the leak is near the block or near the front pipe?

I'm hoping it's the front pipe...

100 dollars hurts.

[Retrospekt]

[ghettosled]

$100 to replace that gasket is a bit much. it is something you can probably tackle yourself. i believe there are 3 bolts holding those two sections together (the primary cat and the down pipe with the flex section and secondary cat). first thing i would do is crank down on those nuts to see if they just worked themselves loose, though i doubt it. you can probably order a new gasket for that connection (im guessing its about $10) or get some gasket material and cut out your own with scissors or a box cutter. i always keep a 2 foot by 1 foot section of high temperature gasket material for just such a use.

just for your own edification, where you labeled "manifold taken off" is actually written on your exhaust manifold. the heat shield on the manifold has been removed. that connection just to the end of the white box is where the primary cat converter bolts up to the manifold.

[JohnGD]

Look at this diagram:

It should be the $3.39 Bosal 256-287. However, you're going to need a $2.36 manifold to pipe flange gasket as you unbolt the front converter (at least that's what looks like, the rear gasket is leaking).

Flange gasket, Fel Pro 23626:
http://info.rockauto.com/Fel-Pro/Det...?23626_TOP.jpg

[JohnGD]

Again, from the picture it looks the rear gasket of the forward converter is leaking. You can confirm that or can take a wider view picture.

Unless the bolts are seized (use PB Blaster), it should be fairly easy??

[Retrospekt]

I'll take some better pictures when I get the car. I just dropped it off at a friend's house to get the timing belt job.

[JohnGD]

FYI. This parts diagram of the exhaust system didn't show up. Here it is again:

http://info.rockauto.com/Bosal/Detai...l?08405950.gif

I think you pointed to the leaking gasket at the Bosal 256-287. But to take apart the front cat, you also need the one gasket upstream, which is the FelPro 23626.

Originally Posted by Retrospekt

I'll take some better pictures when I get the car. I just dropped it off at a friend's house to get the timing belt job.

[Retrospekt]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

FYI. This parts diagram of the exhaust system didn't show up. Here it is again:

http://info.rockauto.com/Bosal/Detai...l?08405950.gif

I think you pointed to the leaking gasket at the Bosal 256-287. But to take apart the front cat, you also need the one gasket upstream, which is the FelPro 23626.

I'm not understanding where this other gasket is.
You're saying I need to buy both?

Edit: So the flange gasket is in between the sections above the one that I know is leaking. My mechanic told me I do not need to touch that to unscrew the lower part. 3 screws (he said they are probably seized) and I just slip in the new seal. (Bosal from Rock Auto)

[ghettosled]

you should only need to take apart the connection where the faulty gasket is. i too dont see a need to unbolt the primary car from the manifold. when you unscrew the bad gasket section, there is a flex section on part of that now unbolted section that will allow some give to get the old gasket out and put a new one in. just make sure there isnt any old gasket remaining on the flange before you slide the new gasket in place.