Cracked Exhaust Manifold on 97 318i

[1997BMW318iRob]

Hey to all the experts...I am on my way to buy a used exhaust manifold $250 Can for my 1997 Bmw 318i Sedan.
I am also buying three gaskets from the dealer 2 for $13 bucks and 1 for $29.
Was wondering how long it should take a muffler shop to do the job?
I was quoted $400 plus parts and think this is rather high?
What do you think.
Thanks,
Rob

[Mr White G]

If they are good then it will take a couple of hours, max.

I dare say you could do it yourself if you knew how.... but I wouldn't risk it if you don't.

Do you have any mechanic friends? It's an interesting way to spend a saturday afternoon....

[Mr White G]

Just re-reading your thread, I am wondering what exactley is cracked.

You said manifold (which is a technical job under the engine) but you also said 'can' (which is a piece of piss to fix at the back of the car)

Do you know where it's broken or do you just know it's cracked somewhere?

[1997BMW318iRob]

I just got back from the auto recyclers they wanted 250 can (thats canadian to my fellow americans).
The exhaust manifold looked rustier than the one on the car now.
To be honest I never saw the crack in the manifold that is what I was told at a muffler shop, after they looked at it.
I was also told they could weld the cracked piece.
The labour cost is the same.
$400 to install a new exhaust manifold or $400 to take the old one off fix it and re-install it!
After seeing the salvage one I could have bought for $250 I am leaning at just getting them to fix the old one.
A new exhaust manifold is around $650 (CANADIAN).
Not sure I might just drive the car like that for a while.
Any thoughts....

[Kevin325i]

I don't think that rust is anything to worry about. It's probably just surface rust that got on the manifold while it was sitting in the junk yard. Manifolds are very thick and see lots of heat so water that touches them evaporates almost instantly. Just clean up the surface rust with some sand paper, and hit it with some high temp paint.

Kevin

[BlantonG13]

Can you actually hear an exhaust leak coming from the manifold?

[1997BMW318iRob]

I didn't buy the part because where the manifold contacts the engine the rust seemed extreme.
It was flaking around the inlets.


To answer the second question, that is the reason I took the car to a muffler shop in the first place.
It sounds like a diesel engine.
There is a definite leak, the muffler guys seemed very eager to do the job.
They quoted me $1200 parts and labour.
I later called the BMW dealer and was told the exhaust manifold was $560 plus 3 gaskets around another $50, plus tax.
Problem is my car has over 200,000 kms on it, while in great shape I dont want to spend a lot of money on it.
I am looking to get a 2001 330i in the next year or so.
I think I will just keep driving it, I don't smell any exhaust in the engine when the car is running.
I still haven't seen the crack.
I am wondering if it just didn't detach from the engine.
I will be taking it to another shop in the next couple days!
Thanks for all the advice.

[Mr White G]

Make sure the cops don't pull you for noise violation.