'99 Cracked Exhaust Manifold-Need advice!!

[DEZLPWR]

I am in the process of buying a '99 Dodge Ram Cummins 2500 4x4 5sp with 73,000

miles. When I test drove it, it seemed to drive real nice. After driving it,

I popped the hood with it idleing and noticed a crack in the top of the

exhaust manifold near the entrance to the turbo. I stuck my hand near the

crack while it was idleing and could feel air coming through the crack.

What would cause this in a '99? Is this common? Could it have been caused by

any type of abuse or lack of maintenance? Could any damage have been caused

to the engine by running it with the cracked manifold? The selling party has

agreed to replace the manifold before I buy it, but I want to make sure that

additional damage was not inflicted from the crack.



Also, it has a Fram filter on it. Should I change it ASAP??



Thanks in advance!



Steve

 

[work2muchplay2little]

Steve, first of all welcome to the TDR . I haven't heard of this happening before. Could be just a flaw in the cast iron casting, but would look for other possibilities that would stress this area. Some possibilities would be the exhaust taking a hit from the right rear quarter, taking a hit from underneath near where the downpipe makes its turn, aftermarket exhaust installation with difficulty aligning the downpipe and stressing it too hard. I'm sure you'll get some other ideas. Hope you find yourself a great truck. I've not had any problems with my '99 to date, and believe me, I push it pretty hard

 

[DHatfield]

Yes I would ditch that Fram ASAP and put on a Fleetgaurd, Amsoil, Mopar just anything as long as it's not Fram.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

TDR Issue 32 has a good article on oil filters. The exhaust manifold probably cracked from excessive, frequent, long term exhaust gas temperature. Might just need to be replaced--I strongly recommend the ATS manifold which costs just a little more than stock. Might be indicative of other internal damage from heavy bombind of fuel without adequate air increases to moderate the egt.

 

[RAPID RICK]

CRACKED MANIFOLD

I've had the manifold on my replaced once,at 52 K. Mechanic said mine was the 4th one on a 99 he had replaced in less than a year. Motor has 100,000 mile warranty so didn't cost me anything.

Enjoy the new truck.

Rick

 

[EMDDIESEL]

As long as they you are going to replace it, definatley go for the ATS manifold, tell them you will pay the difference. As for the manifold being cracked, i have seen many other diesels with cracked manifolds from time to time. Depending on the engine application, alot of the time we repair it by brazing it. For a street truck, i would not even bother, just replace it. It could have been caused by any number of things. If i had to guess?, i would say it was a bad casting to begin with. Then the diesel vibration finaly took its toll. And YES, ditch the Fram