
Finding A Cracked Manifold - Smoke Machine
video description
Date: 2025-05-10
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
psdaengr911
I've always liked your videos because you frequently explain why you do things one way when there are apparent alternatives. Why is always my next question after: What.
If this were my car (shudder) without removing it I'd clean the area with carb cleaner, open and roughen the top of the crack slightly with rotary tool wire wheel and abrasive. Since the crack is not load-bearing self-seals with little heating, I'd braze using a lower melting temperature filler material rather than welding it, but that is just personal preference. imo An aftermarket manifold replacement is not better than an OEM manifold left in place with a good brazed repair. The replacement process carries a risk of breaking fasteners and damaging adjacent components and the new manifold may leak at the gasket even worse.
reply
I've always liked your videos because you frequently explain why you do things one way when there are apparent alternatives. Why is always my next question after: What.
If this were my car (shudder) without removing it I'd clean the area with carb cleaner, open and roughen the top of the crack slightly with rotary tool wire wheel and abrasive. Since the crack is not load-bearing self-seals with little heating, I'd braze using a lower melting temperature filler material rather than welding it, but that is just personal preference. imo An aftermarket manifold replacement is not better than an OEM manifold left in place with a good brazed repair. The replacement process carries a risk of breaking fasteners and damaging adjacent components and the new manifold may leak at the gasket even worse.
reply
glensheri7187
I love you. I watch your videos all the time. I am a former mechanic and now a diy do not tell people anymore that if you can do it, we can do it. That’s not real world. I’ve tried it. Its super complicated. You need super massive tools talking scans. Also all data ident fix any all the garbage you need to buy also OEM garbage to program stuff so it’s not real world for a DIY to do these complicated things plus you have massive amount of experience and connections to be doing what you have been doing for a very long time
reply
I love you. I watch your videos all the time. I am a former mechanic and now a diy do not tell people anymore that if you can do it, we can do it. That’s not real world. I’ve tried it. Its super complicated. You need super massive tools talking scans. Also all data ident fix any all the garbage you need to buy also OEM garbage to program stuff so it’s not real world for a DIY to do these complicated things plus you have massive amount of experience and connections to be doing what you have been doing for a very long time
reply
runner3033
My Santa Fe, with the very same 2. 4 engine (a GEMA special) also has a manifold leak. Setup is a bit different so not sure if there'll be a spot like that to crack, but will have a look with renewed interest - was just gonna look for cracks and black soot but now I have a new trick, thanks!
PS for welds like that, when you have to set the machine on Nuclear, I find that preheating the metal with a torch also really helps for the first few boogers while the initial welding itself heats it up for the rest of the job.
reply
My Santa Fe, with the very same 2. 4 engine (a GEMA special) also has a manifold leak. Setup is a bit different so not sure if there'll be a spot like that to crack, but will have a look with renewed interest - was just gonna look for cracks and black soot but now I have a new trick, thanks!
PS for welds like that, when you have to set the machine on Nuclear, I find that preheating the metal with a torch also really helps for the first few boogers while the initial welding itself heats it up for the rest of the job.
reply
jessiemae6873
Everyone always comments on how you are a master mechanic and honest beyond a doubt. They are all missing a vital point, you are also a very good teacher. You explain in detail and share tips and tricks that others won't. If it wouldn't be a business disaster for your community, you really should be teaching values, honesty, and integrity at a vo-tech school. Like the other trades, good honest mechanics like you are becoming harder to find.
reply
Everyone always comments on how you are a master mechanic and honest beyond a doubt. They are all missing a vital point, you are also a very good teacher. You explain in detail and share tips and tricks that others won't. If it wouldn't be a business disaster for your community, you really should be teaching values, honesty, and integrity at a vo-tech school. Like the other trades, good honest mechanics like you are becoming harder to find.
reply
autos
Chrysler stopped making these because they lost MILLION$ building them. Corporate Decision, again.
What bird brain though this was real competition for the Toyota-Honda-Mazda cars or even for KIA-Hyundai
721, 000 people thoroughly positioned as Faithful American Car buyers got sucked into these money holes
Walter Chrysler is flipping around in his tomb at what these boneheads have done to his once proud company
reply
Chrysler stopped making these because they lost MILLION$ building them. Corporate Decision, again.
What bird brain though this was real competition for the Toyota-Honda-Mazda cars or even for KIA-Hyundai
721, 000 people thoroughly positioned as Faithful American Car buyers got sucked into these money holes
Walter Chrysler is flipping around in his tomb at what these boneheads have done to his once proud company
reply
eric_seguin
Just Do It. To coin a phrase. Bought a head out of a junkyard. Only one in 500 miles. The head. Someone had brassed it already. When I torqued it down it popped. I gave it more brass. Somebody had to have that car. They were warned. We traded. Got a nice old Dodge. He was rawhiding that car next time I saw it. I drove home. 1800 miles. That Dart was a trooper. Great video. Thanks.
reply
Just Do It. To coin a phrase. Bought a head out of a junkyard. Only one in 500 miles. The head. Someone had brassed it already. When I torqued it down it popped. I gave it more brass. Somebody had to have that car. They were warned. We traded. Got a nice old Dodge. He was rawhiding that car next time I saw it. I drove home. 1800 miles. That Dart was a trooper. Great video. Thanks.
reply
paulstandaert5709
For the saving of cost and labor welding that kind of metal and the fact that the aftermarket manifold is probably going to be a major POS, this customer is a fool. Customers usually do not understand the fact that aftermarket stuff is notoriously garbage. I would say differently if the repair involved removing the entire manifold to weld and then put it back on.
reply
For the saving of cost and labor welding that kind of metal and the fact that the aftermarket manifold is probably going to be a major POS, this customer is a fool. Customers usually do not understand the fact that aftermarket stuff is notoriously garbage. I would say differently if the repair involved removing the entire manifold to weld and then put it back on.
reply
greggc8088
Years back, before smoke machines were popular, we smoke checked for exhaust leaks a little differently. A pint of ATF, aim the pipe toward a co worker you didn't like, and let her rip while feeding a vacuum hose a good healthy supply. A good eye would see the leaky front pipe flange or ex manifold every time. Smoke machines are really nice though.
reply
Years back, before smoke machines were popular, we smoke checked for exhaust leaks a little differently. A pint of ATF, aim the pipe toward a co worker you didn't like, and let her rip while feeding a vacuum hose a good healthy supply. A good eye would see the leaky front pipe flange or ex manifold every time. Smoke machines are really nice though.
reply
schifoso
I recently did what you did in the video for an exhaust leak, but no smoke. The leak was between the engine and the converter. It was a hairline fracture and fortunately I could slightly hear/feel the air escape and confirmed with soapy water. Your explanation about the converter puts things into perspective. Thanks for the explanation.
reply
I recently did what you did in the video for an exhaust leak, but no smoke. The leak was between the engine and the converter. It was a hairline fracture and fortunately I could slightly hear/feel the air escape and confirmed with soapy water. Your explanation about the converter puts things into perspective. Thanks for the explanation.
reply
gregpace4676
Take the manifold off and weld it. If cast iron, grind the crack, have Mrs O put the manifold in the oven and turn the oven on at 400 degrees F for an hour. stick weld with nickel rod and peen the welded area. Place back in the oven and let it cool slowly. I have done this to blocks with windows and pieces missing, no problem.
reply
Take the manifold off and weld it. If cast iron, grind the crack, have Mrs O put the manifold in the oven and turn the oven on at 400 degrees F for an hour. stick weld with nickel rod and peen the welded area. Place back in the oven and let it cool slowly. I have done this to blocks with windows and pieces missing, no problem.
reply
wads_o_hair
Your videos are great, and I look forward to many more of them. However, if you continue to safety squint instead of wearing proper eye protection, you might not be seeing well enough to do videos, not to mention earn a living. Please, for the sake of your family and your eyes, set a good example and wear some protection.
reply
Your videos are great, and I look forward to many more of them. However, if you continue to safety squint instead of wearing proper eye protection, you might not be seeing well enough to do videos, not to mention earn a living. Please, for the sake of your family and your eyes, set a good example and wear some protection.
reply
BUTTABALLA999
I have to razz you about censoring the license plate, because until I watched this video, I only heard you poke fun at people giving you grief for not covering license plates. So I'm not really sure if that was actually you or some automation in some video editing software, but that censor does absolutely NOTHING, lol
reply
I have to razz you about censoring the license plate, because until I watched this video, I only heard you poke fun at people giving you grief for not covering license plates. So I'm not really sure if that was actually you or some automation in some video editing software, but that censor does absolutely NOTHING, lol
reply
bigragu6828
could the smoke from transmission be from the smoker you fill exhaust with smoke. could the smoke have gone through an opened exhaust valve in a cylinder then go through a partially opened intake valve, then go through a vacuum line to the transmission then out the dipstick or is that a reach great video as always.
reply
could the smoke from transmission be from the smoker you fill exhaust with smoke. could the smoke have gone through an opened exhaust valve in a cylinder then go through a partially opened intake valve, then go through a vacuum line to the transmission then out the dipstick or is that a reach great video as always.
reply
robbiemagill9456
Little smoke coming out of the transmission, don’t worry about it.
Eric worrying about it a little. Pulls dipstick again.
But seriously though, how does smoke come out of a transmission
Lol. Love the content. I can always get a little something out of it and you crack me up in the process.
reply
Little smoke coming out of the transmission, don’t worry about it.
Eric worrying about it a little. Pulls dipstick again.
But seriously though, how does smoke come out of a transmission
Lol. Love the content. I can always get a little something out of it and you crack me up in the process.
reply
scottnusser6232
I don't know why they wouldn't run it and see if it stayed fixed Nothing wrong with that repair. You could put on the doorman and it's broke again in 6 mos. That job you did will last forever. Besides they didn't get co poisoning when it was broke. Well, you'll get a good job out of their fear I guess
reply
I don't know why they wouldn't run it and see if it stayed fixed Nothing wrong with that repair. You could put on the doorman and it's broke again in 6 mos. That job you did will last forever. Besides they didn't get co poisoning when it was broke. Well, you'll get a good job out of their fear I guess
reply
boebradley867
I had a gal bring in a Subaru forester recently, after spending tons of dollars at other shops for all kinds of sensors, guess what The vacuum cap on the valve cover had popped off. Two dollar part, she was fixed. Geez. Some people pay pay and get so ripped off!
reply
I had a gal bring in a Subaru forester recently, after spending tons of dollars at other shops for all kinds of sensors, guess what The vacuum cap on the valve cover had popped off. Two dollar part, she was fixed. Geez. Some people pay pay and get so ripped off!
reply
boebradley867
I had a gal bring in a Subaru forester recently, after spending tons of dollars at other shops for all kinds of sensors, guess what The vacuum cap on the valve cover had popped off. Two dollar part, she was fixed. Geez. Some people pay pay and get so ripped off!
reply
I had a gal bring in a Subaru forester recently, after spending tons of dollars at other shops for all kinds of sensors, guess what The vacuum cap on the valve cover had popped off. Two dollar part, she was fixed. Geez. Some people pay pay and get so ripped off!
reply
SouthMainAuto
UPDATE - Customer does want the car fixed correctly. The OEM manifold was crazy expensive, so they want to go with an aftermarket. The parts are ordered, and I will try to record the job when the car comes back in. Thanks for watching!
-Eric O.
reply
UPDATE - Customer does want the car fixed correctly. The OEM manifold was crazy expensive, so they want to go with an aftermarket. The parts are ordered, and I will try to record the job when the car comes back in. Thanks for watching!
-Eric O.
reply
tedhartman3277
Use a shop vac, put the hose on the exhaust port of the vacuum and seal the other end to the tail pipe of the car then use some very soapy water, you will find the smallest of leaks. The bubbles will stick out like a sore thumb, very easy to see.
reply
Use a shop vac, put the hose on the exhaust port of the vacuum and seal the other end to the tail pipe of the car then use some very soapy water, you will find the smallest of leaks. The bubbles will stick out like a sore thumb, very easy to see.
reply
donniev8181
Nice safety squints, I got a pair just like them! Why we keep coming back, when talking about the weld, I'll show ya, I ain't scared! Dare I say that this was one situation in which JB Weld may have actually worked here, the crack was so edged out.
reply
Nice safety squints, I got a pair just like them! Why we keep coming back, when talking about the weld, I'll show ya, I ain't scared! Dare I say that this was one situation in which JB Weld may have actually worked here, the crack was so edged out.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos















