Replacing Exhaust Mani

[KKneipper]

I am getting ready to change out my cracked exhaust manifold (stock cast iron), and my manual says to drain the coolant and oil before hand. My question is... why? Are there oil and coolant passages that would be running through the top of the turbo that may become contaminated or leak during removal/installation of the exhaust mani?

I used the search function as well as checked on VFAQ, but didn't find a definite answer.

 

[TALONTRAX]

If you plan to remove the turbo unit with the manifold then you will need to disconnect the 2 coolant line banjo fittings from it as well as the oil feed & drain tubes. You don`t have to drain the coolant or oil, but it will be less messy of a job if you do . . .

 

[gofer]

You'd only drain the coolant and oil in the system if your pulling the turbo, its probably assuming your going to remove the turbo as well.
There is a oil passage in the head thats blocked by the bottom/center exhaust manifold stud, you don't need to remove the stud to pull the manifold though.

 

[KKneipper]

OK thanks guys. I didn't think that there was any reason to drain the system, just to remove the mani. The manual also doesn't say anything about removing the turbo in that section, which is why I was confused.

 

[streetillEagle]

If your exhaust manifold is cracked more than most likely your hot side of the turbo has a cracks all the way to the waste gate port. Also try getting a SS o2 housing to prevent boost creep while running that boost controller. I'd remove the whole setup and clean it all up nicely. You're going to have the water line that runs under the turbo back to the water to radiator tube. It won't allow you to move the manifold away from the studs much, including the 1 stud that's in the turbo.

 

[Whitelightnin01]

Now would be a nice time to throw on a SS 02 housing and a evo III manifold.

 

[KKneipper]

If your exhaust manifold is cracked more than most likely your hot side of the turbo has a cracks all the way to the waste gate port.

Judging by where the crack is (right on top between the bolts that hold the mani to the turbo), I'm assuming that someone took it off at one point and over torqued it. I just hope that all is well with the turbo. It doesn't feel like anything is wrong, other than the 1st gear lag (due to the crack).