2000 Honda Civic EX-G (Canadian Model) Exhaust issues **Need Help**

Hi. I've got a bone stock 2000 Honda Civic EX-G with the execption of
a K&N air filter and platinum Bosch sparkplugs. In the past year,
I've cracked my exhaust manifold twice. I had it replaced last June,
and now it's cracked again. Since my car isn't the most powerful, I
tend to compensate by being a little heavy on the throttle. The car
has automatic transmission, which could also be a factor.

I'm fairly sure (correct me if I'm wrong), that these cracks are
caused by the restrictive stock muffler and cat. In an effort to
avoid having to replace ths exhaust manifold in a year's time, I'm
considering replacing the stock exhaust with something that flows a
bit better. Any recommedations? I'm not looking for something ultra
aggessive, but a bit louder than stock is ok. Also, should I be
replacing the manifold with OEM again, or something aftermarket.

Can anyone recommend a reputable shop in the Toronto/Mississauga area
of Ontario? What should I expect in terms of cost?

Thanks,

saneboy.

 

I've never heard of a manifold cracking due to back pressure. Since air is
compressible, then the "back pressure" would build up and effect performance
to the point of killing the car.
Heat problems, poor mounting, bad motor mounts may be causes.

 

------------------

Like Steve said. Has nothing to do with back pressure, but since I don't
live in Toronto, make it as loud as you like

'Curly'

 

Strange. I'd always attributed this to my "heavy-foot" driving style.
As a point of reference, I also had a crack in the exhaust manifold in
my previous vehicle, a Jeep TJ 4.0L.

Thanks, for you input, though.

 

It has nothing to do with how you drive.

Exhaust manifold cracking is normally due to structural weakness or unusual
physical load. Some cars are prone to this.

Does your year have a welded steel-tubing manifold or a tin cast-iron one?

 

No idea. I'll have to remove the heat shield to find out. Is one
stronger than the other?

 

my WAG would be the engines running too hot. backpressure shouldnt crack
a manifold, but excessive heat might.

 

which might mean times of excessive heat buildup, followed by a cooling
period, then another "Hotfoot" burst of heat.

yeah, my friend did too. 6 cyl, right? i attribute that to a POS
manifold design, but he kinda had a leadfoot too.

 

id imagine the welded steel tubing might be more forgiving. cast iron is
pretty brittle.

 

where are the cracks? at the head end or the colder end? where the
castings have small radius or large? has the vehicle ever been crashed?

my money's on the latter - if the vehicle has been crashed & the repair
incomplete, the engine may not be sitting straight and that will strain
the exhaust system leading [eventually] to cracking.

excess back pressure or temperature are /most/ unlikely. chances are,
your manifold is cast and the main reasons castings are used in this
location is precisely because of ability to withstand heat. even if the
exhaust is extremely blocked, there is little practical ability to
create excess pressure sufficient to crack a manifold because the
engine stops running first.

 

Have a similar problem with 02 Civic.....

http://www.freewebs.com/hondacanadasucks/

 

dude...

ida welded that crack up myself. weld the **** outta it, too. either off
the car, or possibly even on the car...

is it ok to arc weld something like that still on the car? and im a
shitty welder too. LOL.

 

I have a 98 civic LX here in Winnipeg. At 150000kms, I had my exhaust
manifold replaced on recall. They actually had to pour some kind of solution
on it to see the crack, but once they did that it was very apparent.

As a side note, I do have Honda Plus (well not anymore since I am at
224000kms), but the coverage on this recall was for 8 years or 150000kms. I
have heard that later model years were not covered on this recall.

PS get rid of your Bosch plugs, Honda's hate them. Stick with NGKs, and you
don't even need to go platinum, I found they don't even last as long as they
should in my civic. I also have a K&N filter.

t

 

Yeah....weld or get an aftermarket manifold WOULD have been the cheaper
option...BUT Honda needs to step up & admit they have a problem (a
MAJOR problem) with their manifold design. I know of 4 other 2000 &
newer Civic owners with the same problem....Honda covered the cost for
one of them.

http://www.freewebs.com/hondacanadasucks

 

Unfortunately, I can only hear the escaping gasses rattling the heat
sheild but, I can't find the crack. I'm hoping I can just have it
welded at this point. The car was rear ended a couple of years ago
('02) but the frame wasn't bent. Even so, I've gotta wonder...

The manifold is cast. I'm going to take it to a muffler shop this
week for someone to have a look at. Luckily I have a friend who has a
friend who owns a reputable shop. Hope he'll introduce me.

saneboy.