Exhaust leak at EGR cooling....

[Mr. Gotsnoboost]

Ok, well I had an exhaust leak and I couldn't locate it so I took it to a pretty trust worthy shop and they said that the gasket between the cylinder head and the egr cooling plate is leaking and there are 8 bolts that hold it on and 2 of them were missing. He tried to tighten up the bolts and added 2 new ones to see if it would stop making the noise but it still does. So he is ordering a new gasket and is not sure if he can replace the gasket without pulling the motor because it is right against the firewall. He said normally they replace this whenever they pull the cylinder head off and do a rebuild (which I had it rebuilt by a different shop about 9 months ago). So basically my question is......can this gasket be replaced without pulling the motor out somewhat? If so please explain how.

[Yonaga]

I don't think you can, but if you find a way, let me know. TIA.

[drjonez]

ah the beauty of jap spec engines.....(NO EGR! ;))

anyway, i don't know if this would work, but try this:

loosen the engine mounts, drop the trans crossmember (might want to pull the driveshaft?), then jack up the trans as much as you can. that might just rock the engine forward enough to get @ 'em. otherwise, drop lowering the trans and see if that helps. otherwise, i think you are screwed.......

[Birel47]

this was the first damn thing i had to replace after i bought my car:rant: it can be done with the head and motor in place. here is how it goes:
1. everything on the top of the motor comes off (valvecovers off)
2. pull the two heater hoses (1 90 and 1 w/ plastic winding)
3. tools: a 10mm end wrench, short 1/4 drive 10mm socket, 1/4 drive small breaker bar (socket wrench won't fit) plus this allows more angles to turn w/.
4. LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!:bthumb:
it can be done, i did it. don't rush or you'll start dropping bolts, not a good idea.
also, after running w/ new gasket, retighten bolts as gasket compresses, don't want to have to do it again!

[franke3c]

Originally posted by Birel47
this was the first damn thing i had to replace after i bought my car:rant: it can be done with the head and motor in place. here is how it goes:
1. everything on the top of the motor comes off (valvecovers off)
2. pull the two heater hoses (1 90 and 1 w/ plastic winding)
3. tools: a 10mm end wrench, short 1/4 drive 10mm socket, 1/4 drive small breaker bar (socket wrench won't fit) plus this allows more angles to turn w/.
4. LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!:bthumb:
it can be done, i did it. don't rush or you'll start dropping bolts, not a good idea.
also, after running w/ new gasket, retighten bolts as gasket compresses, don't want to have to do it again!

did u have to pull the hood off too?? or would it make it any easier to pull the hood off?

[Birel47]

pulling the hood off doesn't really matter. pending how tall yo are you might want to jack the car up a little so you can just lean against the fender. this helped with any potential back pain. patience is the key, as there is no easy way about it. good luck:bthumb: