All, I could use some help. We've just acquired an exhaust leak on the back of the passenger side exhaust manifold. I can feel and hear the exhaust leaking from what I believe a bolt that broke off holding on the heat shield. I wiggled the heat shield and 2 washers fell to the ground. The bolt head is still somehow fastened to the tin shield and the bolt is somewhat loose in the manifold but to hot to try to remove.

My question is a heat shield bolt shouldn't be drilled all the way through the manifold causing the leak should it? The bold is still in the threads so air shouldn't leak right... Anyone know anything about the 4.7l exhaust. I can't see much with the shield and the wheel well as far as loose bolts etc on the manifold itself.

I'm hoping to find some loose bolts or missing and not a cracked manifold. Durango has about 70k trouble free miles.

This is the wifes daily driver and tomorrow is her birthday plus she's 8 1/2 months pregnant. I need to get this thing fixed.

Advice?

Will report as it cools down some and I can dig more into it.

 

Got the bolt out with my fingers. I looks like a 5/16's fine thread about 2.5" long so it's not just holding on the heat shield. My guess is now loose bolts and a leaking gasket on the rear portion of the manifold. Tomorrow the parts store. for a new bolt or 2.

 

iirc it should be a stud,

 

Thanks, I'll take off the front one to make sure.

Any harm if this doesn't get done (outside of noise) tomorrow, will be done Monday at the latest. The wife drives about 20 miles a day taking the kids to school and back.