[Rich J]

Well I have always had the smallest exhaust leak on the top of my drivers side manifold (the crack faces up) and since I am getting LT's done before winter is over I decided to try the impossible to show my friend it doesn't work.

I grabbed some of that stupid JB Weld, not just normal JB Weld. The "Sets in 4 minutes" stuff and it also says it resists up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. My buddy even bought it for me even though I kept telling him its a waste of money. But anyways.

I sanded the area where the crack was with 800 grit sand paper. And wiped the area off with rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball to make sure there was no dust or anything left over. Mixed the 2 things of JB Weld together and applied a thin coat over the area, shut my hood and walked away for an hour.

After the hour was over (I really didn't want to wait 4 hours to prove a point) I went to start the car up and I couldn't hear an exhaust leak at all. So I let it idle for about 10 minutes to let it "warm up and settle". By the way that stuff smells like complete SHIT when it heats up (think burning cat piss and baby shit). So I told my buddy to get in so I could show him it wouldn't hold up. I hit the highway, doing everything trying to get the pressure in my manifold to blow that crap off. To my amazement it stayed perfectly fine. Its been 3 days of driving almost all day (a little hard driving as well) and its still going strong.

So I guess it can be done after all if done right. Obviously I wouldn't rely on it for a perm fix. BUT if you need a quick band aid to hold you over until you replace the manifold, it apparently can be done. I personally would only do this if the crack is facing up and not down. But hey I have been wrong before.

Figured I would share, I am still against using a "band aid" for something that should be replaced but if money isn't there for someone and they need something like this fixed quick for a short period of time, it can be done for $5. Will let you all know when it does finally go though, I know it will eventually.

[double0mustang]

you might want to do another layer just in case ... great info.

[Rich J]

Well the leak doesn't bother me, I didn't do this for my own benefit. I was trying to prove to a friend that doing this kind of thing doesn't work but apparently it does when applied right. I could care less if it gave away and the leak came back. Long tubes will be in by the end of winter.

[southfour!]

did you seriously pay $5 for the JB weld? The quick set one i bought cost me $12 lol

anyways great info

[Rich J]

I didn't pay anything, my friend did. But yea it was $5 at good old wally world.

[ESG-642T]

Unless the crack is being stressed farther (something is pulling / pushing / forcing it in a direction, or its just a huge gap) Jb weld, thermal steel, quick steel etc will work

[Rich J]

Originally Posted by ESG-642T Unless the crack is being stressed farther (something is pulling / pushing / forcing it in a direction, or its just a huge gap) Jb weld, thermal steel, quick steel etc will work

I am amazed you said that. You of ALL people I would expect to shoot me down for even doing this one.


But you can still always flame me for the AIM oil pan incident.