Having leakages of any type is one of the worst problems any car owner can encounter in his/her years of owning a car. It can be frustrating especially if the leakages are hard to trace.
Exhaust manifold gasket leakages are one of those leakages that can frustrate you especially if it’s not discovered on time for a possible fix.
Since it’s the duty of the exhaust manifold gasket to seal the connection between the manifold and the cylinder head to prevent exhaust from leaking out of the connection, if the gasket starts to leak, it causes enormous frustrating problems that will leave you looking for a temporary fix.
Therefore, you can use exhaust adhesives or glue to temporarily fix exhaust manifold gasket leakages. The adhesive can temporarily block the place where the leakage is coming from, buying you some time to replace the gasket.
Can You Temporary Fix an Exhaust Manifold Gasket Leak?
Yes, unlike other parts of the car, you can temporarily fix an exhaust manifold gasket leak pending when you will replace the gasket. A temporary fix is not meant to last long, it is meant to take you home or to an auto shop for a possible replacement.
When it comes to exhaust manifold gasket leakages, it is possible to temporarily fix it as the materials to do so are readily available in the market at a very cheap price.
How Do You Temporarily Fix an Exhaust Manifold Leak?
The best way to temporarily fix an exhaust manifold gasket leak is by sealing the leaking area with an adhesive. The adhesive should be able to block the leakages and ensures that all exhaust smoke flows through the catalytic converter for treatment.
- Allow the car to cool down
- Clean the surface of the leaking area
- Smoothen the surface
- Apply the adhesive you purchased evenly all around the leaking area (you can buy an exhaust system repair kit)
- Allow the adhesive to dry completely
- Start the car and continue your journey.
It’s important to note that not all adhesives should be used in sealing a leaking exhaust manifold gasket leakages. The type of adhesives to use are those made to be used on the exhaust. These types of adhesives can withstand the type of heat that comes from the exhaust pipe.
An example of these adhesives is J-B Weld, Exposy Bonds and Tape, Gorilla tape, scotch electrical tape, etc. It’s important to clean and smooth the leaking surfaces before applying the adhesive to enable it to work well.
Can You Drive With a Leaking Manifold Gasket?
Yes, you can drive with a leaking manifold gasket as long as the car is not stalling. However, it’s not advisable to drive with a leaking manifold gasket to avoid causing other problems to the car.
First of all, an exhaust manifold gasket leakage will reduce your engine performance while consuming too much gas. So you do not only have a struggling car to handle but one that has poor gas mileage.
Exhaust Manifold Gasket Leak Symptoms
A leaking exhaust manifold gasket comes with problems such as:
Engine Running Rough
Once your exhaust manifold gasket starts to leak, it can cause your engine to run rough whether on idle or not. When an engine starts to run rough, it affects the smooth driving experience.
Poor Gas Mileage
Another problem you will face when your exhaust manifold gasket starts to leak is poor gas mileage. You will see yourself spending more on gas than you use to do. Nobody likes frequenting the gas station just because of a manifold gasket leakage.
Check Engine Light
The check engine warning light will appear on your dashboard to tell you that something is wrong with your engine. The light is to warn you as well as alert you of the possible damage that needs your attention.
Reduced Engine Power
Whether you like it or not, once your exhaust manifold gasket starts leaking, it will affect the overall performance of your car. The car will no longer perform the way it used to when it was fine.
Slow Acceleration
Slow acceleration is one of the signs of a bad exhaust manifold gasket leakage. Once it starts leaking, the car will no longer respond the way it used to any time you press the acceleration pedal. You will start experiencing hesitation while you drive.
Increased Engine Noise
You will start hearing more engine noise than usual when the gasket starts to leak. Until you seal or replace the gasket, the noise will not stop.
Increased Emission
Since it’s the duty of the exhaust manifold gasket to seal the connection between the manifold and the cylinder head to prevent exhaust from leaking out of the connection, if it starts to leak, it will prevent exhaust gas from flowing through the catalytic converter for treatment, hence causing increased emissions.
Exhaust Smell
You may start to perceive more exhaust smell when the manifold gasket starts to leak. This smell might even penetrate into the car even when the windows are up.
What Happens if You Don’t Fix Exhaust Manifold Gasket Leak?
If you continue to drive your car without fixing the exhaust manifold gasket leak, the car will start to run rough with high fuel consumption and reduced engine power. You will also experience slow acceleration, exhaust smoke, and loud noise. These problems will continue until you fix the leakage by replacing the damaged gasket.
Conclusion
You can easily fix a leaking exhaust manifold gasket temporarily with an adhesive made to be used in the exhaust system. This should be able to let you drive home or to the auto shop safely. You should endeavor to have the manifold gasket replaced as soon as possible. Sealing the manifold with an adhesive is not a permanent fix, rather, a temporary fix.
