I took my 95 firebird v6 3.4l to a local mechanic the other day because it had been making this rattling noise while driving. I assumed it was a loose heat shield so I wanted them to take a look at it. When they did they discovered the heat shields were fine, and that the exhaust manifold was messed up. When they took me to look under the car they showed me that a bolt had broken off (there were two of them). Ive never had my exhaust worked on so i dunno how this happened. Anyways they said they couldnt even give me a price on fixing it due to labor costs. What do you guys think I should do? Is this an easy repair or am i looking at hundreds upon hundreds of dollars here?

 

Its common for the bolts to break due to rust. It shouldn't be too involved of a job.

 

i had that happen when i bottom out on the y pipe it broke a bolt. manifold to the head. the only way i could fix it (beings there is no room) i removed the head and used an easy out. it is very expensive to replace a 2 dallor part which could cost a couple of hundered if you opted for a shop repair. i would repair it myself with a buddy. remember to use grade 8 nuts and bolts on all exhaust they can take the heat without expanding and contracting and resiliant to rust.

 

I guess I should have asked, what bolt broke, a bolt connecting the manifold to the head, or one of the bolts connecting the manifold to the y-pipe? If a manifold to head bolt broke, then yes, that can be an expensive job and most likely require the removal of the head.

 

I wish I could tell you. Since I am terrible with the mechanical side of cars I will describe it to you as best as I can.

When I looked under the car when it was on a lift with the mechanic he shined a flashlight up towards the engine it looked kinda like a box going into the engine bay. I guess that would be the exhaust manifold so he says. Anyways there were two bolts parallel to each other that I could see one of those was the one that broke. I hope this description helps ya figure out exactly which one I broke.

Also is this a big concern that can cause serious damage to my engine? I was hoping to wait on this until I had a little bit more money in the bank. If it is more than just an annoying rattling sound and cannot do anything else to harm my motor, please let me know.

 

Just in cold humid climate if the valve is open but not too serious. you should get an est. from the shop and find someone near by from one of the f-body boards and work out a deal for the cost. or read the want ads or craigslist to find a "under the table" mechanic to fix it for cash or trade. if you want to save bucks and your not handy with tools that be the way. Shop labor isn't cheap.

 

It sounds like you did break a manifold bolt. If the bolt has caused an exhaust leak and unmetered air in being allowed into the engine, then it can lead to driveability issues.

 

I dont think I have an exhaust leak, I dont have any check engine lights or anything and havent smelled any exhaust. I think it is one of the bolts that just holds the manifold to the body, which is causing a rattling sound whenever I am driving at slow speeds or sitting at a stop light.

 

you won't smell exhaust there you will hear a clicking noise from there the exhaust gas won't really leak it would be inducted with the exhaust flow just the audible noise. and it has nothing to do with check engine lights or warnings its a componant not a computer controlled device.

 

DID you ever get your t-top conversion done??????
I live in Chicago. I can do it for you.