Your exhaust manifold is a vital part of your car: It helps whisk super-hot, potentially dangerous gases away from the engine and out of your vehicle. If damaged, those gases could leak into the cabin of your car, causing harm to you and your passengers. Even if this weren’t the case, your vehicle could become loud or inefficient.
Repairing an exhaust manifold could cost under $100 or considerably more, and replacing it is likely to be a pricey undertaking, usually ranging from $1,300 to $1,500. Here’s a closer look at the factors that go into exhaust manifold replacement and repair costs.
Key Points
• The cost of repairing an exhaust manifold begins at less than $100, while replacement currently ranges from $1,329 to $1,534.
• The exhaust manifold moves gases created by fuel combustion in the engine to the catalytic converter.
• Replacement exhaust-manifold parts cost between $991 and $1,037, with labor adding $339 to $497.
• Signs of a damaged manifold include engine noises, exhaust smell, and decreased performance.
• Timely repairs prevent toxic leaks, maintain efficiency, and ensure passenger safety.
How Does the Exhaust Manifold Work?
The exhaust manifold is the first portion of a vehicle’s exhaust system. It pulls gases created by fuel combustion in the cylinders and moves them to the catalytic converter. There, chemical reactions convert toxic gases into less harmful ones that can be released into the environment.
The exhaust manifold is bolted directly to the engine block, and V-type engines will have one for each bank of cylinders. As noted, it plays a critical role in the safety of your vehicle.
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How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Exhaust Manifold?
The average cost of replacing an exhaust manifold currently ranges from $1,329 to $1,534, including the cost of parts and labor. That said, some exhaust manifolds can cost still more; say, $3,000, depending on your vehicle.
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What Determines Exhaust Manifold Replacement Costs?
The cost to replace an exhaust manifold relies on a number of factors. Consider the following:
Cost of Parts
Parts and labor are the two main components of the cost of exhaust manifold replacement. On average, parts are priced anywhere between $991 and $1,037.
If you choose original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, pricing tends to be significantly lower than if you were to choose performance parts.
Labor Costs
Replacing an exhaust manifold should only take three to five hours of work. Cost for that time runs $339 to $497, on average.
Car Make and Model
Your car’s make and model is essentially the brand and specific vehicle type. Each will use a different engine and parts, which impact costs and labor time. Typically, the more common the vehicle and the part, the cheaper the replacement costs are. If you drive a particularly rare or high-performance vehicle, your costs may increase.
Which Parts Need to Be Replaced?
Unfortunately, a damaged exhaust manifold can have ripple effects on the parts around it. For instance, if scorching exhaust is pushed into the catalytic converter, it can cause damage. If this part needs to be replaced as well, you can expect your auto repair bill to increase quite a bit. The average cost to replace a catalytic converter currently runs more than $2,000, for example.
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Signs of a Bad Exhaust Manifold
Keep an eye out for symptoms that can help clue you into a damaged exhaust manifold.
Rumbling or Hissing Engine Noises
Normally, you only hear the sound of exhaust after it’s made its way through the muffler, which makes it significantly quieter. But if you have a leak in the exhaust manifold, which sits above the muffler, you may hear louder noises than usual coming from your engine, including hissing, rumbling, or the sound of gears changing.
An inspection of the exhaust systems can help determine which part is leaking and whether it’s the exhaust manifold.
The Smell of Exhaust Under the Hood
Car exhaust systems send exhaust to the back of the vehicle, where it is released. If you smell exhaust under the hood, that means it’s escaping somewhere near the engine. It likely means gases haven’t made it to the catalytic converter, which in turn could indicate issues with the exhaust manifold.
That said, it could also be an issue with the exhaust valves or part of the vacuum system. A mechanic can help diagnose the exact problem.
Check Engine Light Is On
Most modern engines have sensors that detect oxygen levels and vacuum pressure in the exhaust system. If something is amiss, your check engine light will likely go on. While this won’t pinpoint the precise problem, a mechanic can help you diagnose the issue.
Decreased Engine Performance
A leak in the exhaust manifold will reduce the rate at which exhaust is removed from your car. It will begin to back up and your engine won’t be able to produce as much power as usual when you press the gas pedal.
You can also keep tabs on how much fuel your car is using. If it’s more than usual, it could signal that something is off in your exhaust system.
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How Often Do Exhaust Manifolds Need to Be Replaced?
Your exhaust manifold is designed to last the lifetime of the engine, though problems may arise with age. Excessive heat in the engine or an imbalance of fuel and air can lead to leaks at any time.
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Can You Drive With a Bad Exhaust Manifold?
You should not drive with a damaged exhaust manifold. Toxic carbon monoxide gases could leak into the main cabin, harming the driver and any passengers. There could also be additional damage caused to surrounding parts, including the catalytic converter and exhaust valves.
The Takeaway
If your exhaust manifold is damaged, it’s a good idea to take care of it ASAP since it could cause an unhealthy and even dangerous condition inside the car’s cabin. In addition, it could interfere with proper functioning of other parts of your vehicle. Depending on whether you need a repair or replacement, the price tag for this work can range from under $100 to $1,500 or possibly more. If you don’t have the cash on hand to pay for the repair, you may want to consider other financing options, such as refinancing your auto loan or taking out a personal loan.
If you’re seeking auto loan refinancing, SoFi is here to support you. On SoFi’s marketplace, you can shop and compare financing options for your car in minutes.
FAQ
Can I replace an exhaust manifold myself?
With the proper tools and expertise, you can replace your exhaust manifold yourself. Doing so may save you a few to several hundred dollars in labor costs.
Can a cracked exhaust manifold be repaired or does it need to be replaced?
It may be possible to repair a cracked exhaust manifold. Most exhaust manifolds are made from cast iron, and repairing them involves soldering the crack or using heat-resistant epoxy to fill the crack. However, these repairs may not stand up for long against the heat of the gases contained by the exhaust manifold. In other words, these repairs may just buy you time before a full replacement is needed.
How do I know if my exhaust manifold gasket needs to be replaced?
Signs that your exhaust manifold needs to be replaced include loud noises from the engine, the smell of exhaust under your hood, and decreased engine efficiency. A mechanic can help diagnose the damage and determine what needs to be done.
What is the difference between an exhaust manifold and a header?
Exhaust manifolds and headers perform the same task — they remove exhaust from the cylinders. The main difference is headers are typically used on high-performance vehicles or added as an upgrade, while exhaust manifolds are used on regular production cars.
Photo credit: iStock/Tashka
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