Ticking exhaust manifold/gasket?

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 21 Jul 2009, 17:16

For a while my car has been a bit ticky. I've always put this down to it just being like this, but more recently i've become more aware of it, and its starting to bug me.

Its coming from the exhaust area. You can hear it from underneath the front of the car. It does it hot or cold. Its not the injectors. I've tried spraying some WD40 onto the manifold gasket but its near impossible to get a direct spray on it.

It is more apparant at idle, and cannot be heard with the windows shut. There are no exhaust fumes that i have ever smelt.

Performance is still fine, i am getting good boost from 1500 and full boost by 2-2000rpm depending on the gear.

Trying to rule out the manifold itself! I think its ok going by the lack of smell and performance but you never know. It does sound a bit like a 1.9 Gti 205!

It could also be the O ring where the front pipe joins, but i can see no sign of a leak.

The noise seems to disappear once you place some load on it, or rev it over 1500rpm.

Any thoughts guys?

Brigsygtt · Unread post by **Brigsygtt** » 21 Jul 2009, 19:56

Probably the manifold gasket mate, worst case scenario cracked ex manifold.

Same problem happens on the r5gtt's. Ticking off boost but fine on boost with no loss of performance.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 21 Jul 2009, 20:19

Brigsygtt wrote:Probably the manifold gasket mate, worst case scenario cracked ex manifold.

Same problem happens on the r5gtt's. Ticking off boost but fine on boost with no loss of performance.

If i get the time tomorrow i am taking the lot off. Bit of an arse as it looks like turbo has to come out from underneath. But do-able.

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 21 Jul 2009, 21:56

Hmmm i may have to eat my words

I've been reading up and it seems that on 406's, the subframe has to be dropped and steering rack lowered in order to get enough space to remove the turbo/manifold assembly as its one piece.

Now to do this on an Activa would be extremely complicated and time consuming! As such, i have decided to leave it till something else needs doing... in this case the clutch!

At some point in the near future, the gearbox will have to come off for the clutch replacement. This in itself isnt a nice job, in fact removing the engine/gearbox as a whole may be easier!

If its decided to take this route, i will replace the gaskets then, and if i can find a donor turbocharger, have that machined for a bigger wheel and do the whole upgrade then.

We shall see... in the mean time if anyone has managed to remove the turbo without taking the car off it first, let me know...

XantiaMan · Unread post by **XantiaMan** » 23 Jul 2009, 22:08

Any more thoughts?