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Dennis
Dodge Dakota
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8/31/2011
22:08:52

Subject: RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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My right side bolts on my 2006 Dakota Quad TRX4 with a 4.7 cracked 2 winters ago and now the left side is popping. Has anyone tried to replace both the bolts and manifolds with ceramic coated headers and if so what were the results. I am tired of paying the local dealership to replace what I believe were defective parts from day 1, I never had this problem with my 91 Dakota sport with a 318.



ktek01
Dodge Dakota
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9/18/2011
12:12:36

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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I believe not too long ago Mopar did come out with revised bolts for the exhaust manifold made out of stainless steel. Usually its just the rear most ones that break, and they break off flush with the manifold, not the head, so 9 times out of 10 they are easily removed.



Hal
Dodge Dakota
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10/25/2014
21:10:07

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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I just bought a beautiful 2001 4.7L V8 Dakota
with only 116,000 miles on it and thought I
researched the Dakota pretty well until I
discovered this issue with broken manifold
bolts after I bought the truck. Had I learned
of this earlier, I would have walked away.
Mine has a very very slight ticking noise and
most of the time you have to strain to even
hear it. A friend told me it sounds more like a
sticky hydraulic lifter, rather that the pffft,
pfft, pfft of a manifold leak. How can I
discern between a hydraulic lifter tick and an
exhaust manifold leak?

I also read somewhere that the problem is
caused due to a design flaw in the exhaust
system. Chrysler should have put a section of
flex pipe where the down pipe on the manifold
meets the exhaust pipe. This would allow some
free movement of the engine at acceleration
without putting strain on the manifold and its
bolts due to a stiff rigid connection at the
exhaust pipe.
I have tugged on the heat shield and it is
solid as a rock on both ends.

If I find that my tick is in fact a hydraulic
lifter tick and not a manifold leak, could I
help eliminate the possibility of breaking
manifold bolts by cutting out a section of the
exhaust pipe and put in a section of flex pipe
where it meets the manifold down pipe?




AandP
Dodge Dakota
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10/26/2014
12:58:37

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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If you want to know if it an exhaust leak have
someone temporarily restrict the tailpipe with the
engine running.

Some lifter noise is common in the 4.7.

You don't know what you're talking about.

The entire exhaust system can move about. It's
suspended, not "rigidly attached" to the truck.
Manifold bolts breaking is not just a Dodge thing,
it happens on a lot of vehicles.

You also bought a "beautiful" 13 year old truck.
Parts can/do fail.

The internet is full of negativity. How many
people post about manifold bolts not breaking.

Go return the Dodge. It doesn't deserve an owner
like you.



Hal
Dodge Dakota
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10/26/2014
23:32:19

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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For the most part, the majority of the guys on this site are pretty nice guys and don't mind answering questions...even if they are stupid questions from newbies to the Dodge truck world seeking some answers.

However, some like to display some attitude.

I simply state what I have read and suddenly I'm told I don't know what I'm talking about and don't deserve owning my truck.

I realize the internet is full of negativity and that's why a little friendly consolation to the contrary would be nice from those of you with experience in these things.

That being said... I do appreciate your comments AandP





AandP
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2014
10:12:00

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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It was your original post that bugs me. Design "flaw" and Chrysler "should", etc.

You want "friendly?" Then don't come in with the negativity towards the Dakota. I happen to think it's one of the best vehicles out there. If you want to talk design flaws, lets look at GM.

Your truck is 13 years old, mine is 14. I haven't had any exhaust manifold bolts break and if they do I'll deal with it then.

And I'm serious, the exhaust system can move around.





Hal
Dodge Dakota
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10/27/2014
16:08:44

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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Thanks A&P. I will be careful not to mention articles that I've read in the future.
I do appreciate your input and the wisdom of others concerning this. I guess I pay too much attention to the nay-sayers and it had me a little spooked, but yours and the explanation of others has helped put this issue to ease for me.

If I may, I'm curious to learn more about your Dakota. Did you buy it new?, how many miles do you have on it, what do you use yours for primarily? Do you do any towing with it or use it for a business? In the time you have had your Dakota, what kind of repairs have you had to do, besides just general maintenance?

Thanks again!




DukeDakota_WA
Dodge Dakota
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10/28/2014
10:49:36

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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I found this site after learning yesterday I had one side bad, one side going bad, exhaust manifold leaks. My symptoms are similar to others: a ticking sound when the engine was cold that would decrease/stop after it warmed up. While I used to work on my own vehicles, I don't anymore (I'm 54). I'm paying ~$700 each side + $125 for each broken bolt removal. I'll be lucky to get out of it < $2000 ... Ouch! The Dakota is part of the family so I suppose it is worth it.

After reading all the posts, this is obviously poor Engineering. Designed in the early 2000's (probably), they had the tools to forsee this problem (Al head / cast iron manifold) but either didn't examine or care. One commenter is right, this isn't just a Dodge/Chrysler problem. But, why does it seem we just don't build things to last anymore?



TuckerLudlow
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11/02/2014
13:10:50

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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Mine is a 2005 4.7 quad cab, and it had been "ticking" for some time. Last time I took it in for oil change and tire rotation, the shop owner informed me of an "exhaust leak" that would most likely lead to an inspection failure. I inquired at the dealer, and was told that it was a "several" hundred dollar repair. Looked into doing it myself, and found a couple of good posts on YouTube. Then, after deciding that this old body wasn't up to the up and down required for this work, wound up taking it to a local exhaust shop. Exhaust manifold gaskets, new bolt kit, "fender clips" (or Christmas Tree fasteners, take your pick of terms) and labor for both sides totaled $284 and a couple of pennies.

They ALL break - Fords, GMs, even my Japanese mini truck had exhaust manifold gasket problems at one point or another. Once they start getting some miles on 'em, the expansion and contraction gets to them and sooner or later, either the gaskets will crack or the manifolds themselves will - maybe both. Heck! The GM went way earlier than the others.



Ryan
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2015
15:28:49

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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I have the same issue with my 2004 Dakota. Sounds exactly like an exhaust leak to me. I plan on replacing the bolts and gaskets soon.

I have been having some difficulty finding replacement bolts. At least, labeled as exhaust manifold bolts for an 04 Dakota. I found some on Ebay but am trying to avoid paying $67 for some bolts. Does anyone have any good recommendations where I can find these?

I have checked local auto parts stores already. Thanks in advance.



Taylor
Dodge Dakota
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9/03/2016
16:35:12

RE: Exhaust Leak at Manifold
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I have a 2006 Dakota 4.7 liter with the same recurring problem on both sides. I have extracted the bolts out of the head myself twice now and it just keeps happening.

After extensive research and experience I found out if you only replace the bolts it will just happen again (in my case a matter of weeks). Look at changing the engine mounts as well as putting on new headers. Maybe and elbow joint where the mid pipe meet the headers for some flex.




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