Donut Gasket Replacement - Need Help.

[Blade107]

Hi Everyone,

My amateur Mechanic Friend thinks that my Prizm 2000 1.8 has some kind of leak around the
flex gasket between the exhaust manifold and the rest of the exhaust system.

It's a bit noisier when accelerating in the road, right under my feet..

I'm not sure what causes this but could someone tell me how difficult is to replace this part and if possible instructions in how to do it and which part to purchase? - Also, Is that a dealer Part or it can be found at different Auto parts Stores?

Any inputs would be appreciated!

Rick

[fishexpo101]

Pretty common to have that gasket leak on you. If you've driven through heavy rain and get water splashed up under the car - then immediately noticed that the exhaust note changes pitch or volume (car sounds weird temporarily) - you probably have a leak.

Not hard to change, unless the bolts are completely corroded. Try hitting them with a penetrating fluid, like PB blaster a few days before you try and take them off (multiple applications). Don't spray on a hot exhaust pipe, but OK to spray on and then drive later 9car will just smoke a little bit, as it is cooking the stuff off). The multiple applications and heat cycling will help loosen corrosion and ease your job. Some cases, you have to cut the bolts off. Might be easier to bring it by an exhaust shop or a friend that has some cutoff tools (bigger than a Dremel).

Dealer has them, but any autoparts store will carry that. Not sure if you have a NAPA autoparts store there - but I've heard that the ones NAPA carries are a little tougher than the OEM ones. I replaced mine a few years ago with a NAPA gasket - no problems as of yet with leaks.

Double check that you don't have other leaks under there. Damaged flex pipe, perforation of the piping due to corrosion, loose bolts, etc.

[Blade107]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

Pretty common to have that gasket leak on you. If you've driven through heavy rain and get water splashed up under the car - then immediately noticed that the exhaust note changes pitch or volume (car sounds weird temporarily) - you probably have a leak.

Not hard to change, unless the bolts are completely corroded. Try hitting them with a penetrating fluid, like PB blaster a few days before you try and take them off (multiple applications). Don't spray on a hot exhaust pipe, but OK to spray on and then drive later 9car will just smoke a little bit, as it is cooking the stuff off). The multiple applications and heat cycling will help loosen corrosion and ease your job. Some cases, you have to cut the bolts off. Might be easier to bring it by an exhaust shop or a friend that has some cutoff tools (bigger than a Dremel).

Dealer has them, but any autoparts store will carry that. Not sure if you have a NAPA autoparts store there - but I've heard that the ones NAPA carries are a little tougher than the OEM ones. I replaced mine a few years ago with a NAPA gasket - no problems as of yet with leaks.

Double check that you don't have other leaks under there. Damaged flex pipe, perforation of the piping due to corrosion, loose bolts, etc.

Thanks a lot Fish!

I'll get to Napa and see if they have one. I've called the Toyota Dealer and the want $45 for that donut!! - Is that just the Donut or i comes with other assembly parts? -

We'll be doing the Job at a shop that has a lift, which will make all so much easier. BTW, my car is very clean under not much rust so I think it will be easy to remove the bolts. Then is just pull the old donut and insert the new and close things up?

Thanks again!

[fishexpo101]

There is a clamp that goes over the one donut (the one immediately before the catalytic converter). But I believe $45 is just for the donut - as that sounds similar to the quote I got from my local dealership.

If the bottom is clean - give it a try. Worse thing that could happen is you snap the bolt off. Just unbolt, remove old gasket, replace with new one - tighten everything back up. I'm betting that the old gasket is probably all eaten away or broken up.

[Blade107]

Originally Posted by fishexpo101

There is a clamp that goes over the one donut (the one immediately before the catalytic converter). But I believe $45 is just for the donut - as that sounds similar to the quote I got from my local dealership.

If the bottom is clean - give it a try. Worse thing that could happen is you snap the bolt off. Just unbolt, remove old gasket, replace with new one - tighten everything back up. I'm betting that the old gasket is probably all eaten away or broken up.

Thanks again!
We'll work on that this weekend but I'll buy the gasket from Napa or Autozone.