Where Is the Exhaust Manifold Located?

Q: Where Is the Exhaust Manifold Typically Located?

A: The exhaust manifold is bolted directly to the engine block, usually between the engine cylinder head and the catalytic converter.

Engines usually have one exhaust manifold. However, V-type cylinder arrangements (V6 and V8 engines) have two separate manifolds mounted to each cylinder head.

The exhaust manifold gathers exhaust gases from the ports in the engine cylinder’s head, routing these gases to the rest of the exhaust system.

Driving with an exhaust leak isn’t recommended because it can confuse an O2 sensor into reporting a lean condition, which causes the ECM/PCM to add more fuel than needed. It can also release untreated exhaust gasses so that they make their way into the vehicle, which is very dangerous to the passengers.

Tips on How to Access the Exhaust Manifold

Corrosion, cracks, and gasket failure can all cause an exhaust manifold leak. To identify the leak, you must inspect the exhaust manifold.

If you’re going to do some DIY repair on your exhaust manifold, make sure you do it in a safe and well-lit area. Wear protective gear, like safety glasses, latex gloves, and closed shoes.

The exhaust manifold should be easy to spot when you pop up your hood. It looks like a series of outlets connected to a single tube coming off the central engine block. To access the exhaust flow pipe, you’ll need to jack up your vehicle.

Exhaust manifold repairs and diagnosis can be complicated. If you’re not sure about anything, you can always ask an experienced mechanic to do the job for you.

You can also check out this video for tips on how to replace your exhaust manifold: