Am I ok to drive?

[nxski]

I just had a second appointment cancelled on me thanks to a problematic Ford E350 4X4 van (so glad I'm not driving one of those on my trip). Anyways, the mechanic took a quick listen to my problem, and like many of you have suggested, thinks it's an exhaust leak. He thinks it's either a craked manifold, a leaking gasket or a loosened EGR blanking plate. I told him I had a 12 hour drive ahead of me tomorrow and he said that I may feel a loss of power but that I should be fine. Since I have my EGT gauge arriving tomorrow morning I'm feeling confident that apart from the ticking noise I can make the drive without any problems. What are your thoughts? I suppose I have to make the trip either way since my friend has her flight home booked already but I'm more looking for reassurance at this point or tips on how to drive the van to lessen any potential problems.

EDIT: Any idea what the cost of removing the manifold and welding it would be if this is indeed the route I need to take? I'd like to budget for the worst case scenario so at worst I'm ready and at best I'm pleasantly surprised.

[batman]

go with traffic like all other vacationers on road

exhaust leak is small pickle in vodka jar

drive and enjoy less worry behind computer. See you spend lots of time on forum. Not good for vacation enjoyment ! Enjoy old fashion road travel and people. Problems make for remembering experiences

[psilosin]

go with traffic like all other vacationers on road

exhaust leak is small pickle in vodka jar

drive and enjoy less worry behind computer. See you spend lots of time on forum. Not good for vacation enjoyment ! Enjoy old fashion road travel and people. Problems make for remembering experiences

Agree I. Most peopel no having any EGT gauge and drive with most biggest smiles all day and just look at scenery. This for great justice! The fun shall overcome.

[legionnair]

It should be fine , to weld that manifold it should not be more than $20.

Enjoy your trip

[lrp374]

It will be interesting to find out in your EGT gauge and the ticking sound end up being related.

[thedjjack]

It will not be easy to get welded as Cast Iron is about the hardest thing to weld so it will not crack...to do it properly it needs to be slowly cooled over 3 days...

If you did crack the manifold make sure you fix the stress that caused the crack...are the motor mounts weak? or the exhaust to solid? Maybe add a flex pipe just after the turbo to reduce stress...

Your letting the EGT come down before turning it off?

If you cracked the manifold get a used one shipped overnight to you.....if you try the hose trick you should find the crack...

[FalcoColumbarius]

Hey Nxski, have you taken the saddle out and checked the EGR blanking plate? In 2010 I drove up to Kamloops having just installed a mild steel blanking plate. On the way out of Kamloops, up the hill toward Merritt I felt a sudden change in power. I eased off the accelerator and drove slower, enjoyed the vista and when I got home I pulled the saddle out and checked the plate. I went to undo the bolts holding the EGR & plate on and they just came out with what first appeared to be springs wrapped around them. Then I realised that the "springs" were the threads from the female end of the application. I had experienced a galvanic reaction. I ended up seal welding a quarter inch plate of aluminium over the intake end.

Another thing that I have learned recently: When you read that a bolt should be 12 ft. lbs. ~ bear in mind that the typical trigger weight on a firearm is 13 ft. lbs.. It doesn't take much to over torque a bolt.

Falco.

[RichD]

Ah yes mechanicals in Moab. Seems to be a trend lately...

Nick, if you have a leak in that part of the system you are going to be losing pressure on the turbo. The van will be gutless. You might be inclined push it trying to get more power. Careful not to break it doing that. Personally I would not proceed until the problem is fixed. I would be taking the manifold apart myself looking for the leak or crawl home and get it fixed.

Because you are dealing with an expedition vehicle you should be conservative, as you have no backup. You could quite easily end up coming home on a bus sans Delica.

[thedjjack]

Forget the mechanic...have you pulled the drivers seat and had a look in there?

If it is the EGR plate you could have pulled it already and had a new one made or sealed up the old one...

If it is a cracked manifold you could have found the crack and had the new manifold shipped to you already.

Is it even a leak? Pull the seat and have a look.

[nxski]

I've taken the seat off and looked around, tightened the bolts on the EGR blanking plates. I have no idea what's going on. The van does feel a bit gutless or maybe I'm just not pushing it hard since I have to EGT gauge to make sure it's safe. Either way, I have to get over to Santa Fe and then Albuquerque for the 14th. I think Santa Fe might be the best place to have it fixed I just need to find a mechanic willing to work on it there.