Hello!

I have a hairline but significant crack in my F22B1's exhaust manifold. Pics attached. I would appreciate thoughts and comments on what I have determined are my options for dealing with this.

a) Do nothing
I am guessing leaving it this way will cause performance/MPG degradation and could damage the engine.

b) Take to mechanic or dealer to fix
Drawback: $$$ Advantage: fixed well and more or less permanently

c) Fix myself using manifold pulled from a junkyard
Advantage: Save $$$ Disadvantage: used part could have unforseen flaws

d) Fix myself using new OEM part ordered online
Advantage: new OEM part Disadvantage: $$

e) Fix myself using non-OEM manifold ordered online
Here is a link to the replacement manifold I am considering ordering:
1997 Honda Accord Honda 2.2L Exhaust Manifold with Heat Shield at 1AAuto.com with how-to installation video.

Advantage: new part, save $ Disadvantage: non-OEM part

f) Patch crack using high-temperature metal repair compound
Saw stuff at my car parts store that supposedly was good up to 2000 deg F
It wasn't this brand, but similar stuff:
http://www.permatex.com/products/aut...r_Compound.htm

I am leaning to trying f) first and if that doesn't work trying e).

Thoughts, comments and suggestions? I watched a YouTube video and changing the manifold seems somewhat straightforward. Looks like the biggest concern is making sure the gaskets get installed correctly.

Thanks!

 

C is the best answer.

 

While 'e' seems like a good idea cause it is a new part and the price is high

cheap and cast iron are not good words together.

I would have concerns with it cracking from heat.

Used from the junk yard should be less than $25 (around $10 where I live) and is an OEM part.

The OEM's do not normally crack so the odds of getting another bad one is pretty low.

 

I just looked at your pictures, that is a pretty bad crack and you should fix it ASAP.

 

Understood. Since there's no guarantee I can immediately find a matching part at my local pick-a-part tomorrow, what do you suggest as a backup plan?

Do you think the high-temp compound is worth trying at all, even as a temp fix?

 

I think the odds are pretty good you can find another manifold at the pick-n-pull

Mine has 6 5th gens and 8 4th gens right not.

I guess if you cannot find one then the high-temp is something to do. I have no experence with it but I guess it would be like JB weld - which I have used many times with sometimes good sometimes not so good results.

 

I agree with Crispin -"C".....if that doesn't work then "E".

Also be sure to inspect the mounts, excess engine movement can/will cause things like this.

 

Didn't even think about that.

Check the front motor mount between the motor and radiator.

That one seems to fail pretty commonly on our generation

 

Well I went to the Pull-A-Part this weekend in search of a replacement exhaust manifold. Unfortunately, since I have an EX I needed to find a car with a F22B1 engine and there were only 2 -- both with engines completely gone. Most of the 94-97 Accords at the yard were 6 cylinders or non-VTEC 4s.

I might try to hit a second Pull-A-Part in my metro area. Unless there's a different Honda engine with a fully compatible exhaust manifold, I don't hold out a lot of hope of finding my part there.

Backup plan is to order this and install it myself:
More Information for DORMAN 674509

I will take my old cracked manifold to a muffler shop to see if someone can weld the crack shut, giving me a backup manifold to have as a spare.

And yes I will have someone check the motor mounts. Good idea.

 

Have you searched car-part.com? You can search for manifolds in your area, and being in a large city like you are I wouldn't think it would be hard to find one.