Please advise on best alternative for repair. Dealer quotes...$420 repair (weld), $740 replace w/aftermarket part, $920 replace w/oem part. No real noticable sound problems coming from vehicle yet. Crack was picked up when doing 100,000 mi major service. I am worried about the weld not lasting...but dealer says that this is the way that most of his customers have gone with similar crack. I plan on keeping the vehicle for at least 2 more years. Also, I do not know if I have the old (prone to trouble) manifold design or if I have the new one. Can you tell just by the model year or should I ask the dealer?
exhaust manifold minor crack 99 cherokee 4.0L
Dec 16, 2005
4 Replies
Welding is temporary at best, it will fail right next to the welded crack next time. I've read many reports of good success with the newer designed headers sold on eBay, which are similar to how the factory header was redesigned to stop the cracking that happened to yours. I'd go that way rather than spend that much money at the dealer.
Jerry
MikeL wrote:
MikeL did pass the time by typing:
Try aftermarket and a few hours of work..
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Actually I'd also contact the MFG since this is a known problem
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Whatever you do, don't pay $420 for a weld job. That's insane. I took off my manifold and had it welded by a local guy for $10. Took him less than 10 minutes with a TIG welder.
It will take you *maybe* two hours to remove and reinstall the exhaust manifold ... most likely less.
It may crack again as Jerry said, but at least I'm not out any money.
Good luck.
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