Rear Exhaust Manifold Removal 2001 Solara V6

[Evinrudebigtwin35]

I am in need of removing the rear exhaust manifold from the rear bank of an 2001 V6 Solara. If anyone has been back there, there is not much room to do diddly. I have the Haynes manual but the description is pretty generic. Unfortunatly I do not have a factory service manual. Because of the steering rack and the welded in cross member working from underneath is not an option. I hope it does not mean pulling the engine. I can if I have to but I'd rather not. What is the most efficient way to go about this. The upper plenum throttle body and everything else is removed and out of the way. All of this to re thread or weld in a new Air/Fuel ratio sensor bung. Taking it to the dealer... no way.

Thanks

Tony

[AlmightyCamry777]

without removing the engine, the only thing i can think for you to try is this: loosen and/or remove , as needed, the engine and transmission mounts and rotate the engine a few degrees. You will not be able to rotate it very far, naturally, because of the CV driveaxles and all the other stuff attached. But you may be able to rotate it far enough to get a wrench on those manifold bolts.
Another thing to try, will removing the valve cover give you just enough space?

if you remove any mounts you probably know you have to support the drive train with a jack, good luck!

[Evinrudebigtwin35]

Thanks for the reply. I got it completed yesterday. The job was not as bad as I had believed. With the intake plenum, heater hoses and a few other items moved out of the way there was enough room to unbolt the EGR pipe, cross over pipe bracket and remove it. From underneath the car, I removed the cross over pipe flange bolts and was able to fish a long extension on a ratchet with a universal joint at the 14MM socket up to the bolts through the steering rack/crossmember area. I had a helper reach in from the top on the driver's side and help guide the socket onto the nuts. Everything came off without a hitch. I was able to lift out the manifold on the driver's side and get inspect it on the work bench.
Even the threads were not as bad as I had feared. Turns out only the first couple three threads were stripped. I used a 18mm X 1.75 tap to carefully clean things out. It even cut some decent new threads in the stripped area. 90% of the threads were not damaged. Just to test 'em, I installed a 18mm bolt and torqued it to 32 ft lbs. It held tight. So I opted not to use the Helicoil repair. I removed the bolt and reinstalled the manifold back on the car with a new gasket, installed the sensor with anti seize and re-assembled and torqued everything to specs. Took about three hours start to finish. No more CEL or Trac OFF Light!!! Woo Hoo

Thanks again

TM

[AlmightyCamry777]

I hope you remembered to change the rear spark plugs while you had everything off

[Evinrudebigtwin35]

You can bet I did. Plug wires and new valve cover gaskets too. Good to go.

Tony