Exhaust manifold - She Blows!!

[Ceptor]

Hello All.

I hope you can help with an annoying problem with my 1988 Mk 2 Golf 1.6 carb engine non cat (Code RF) LHD.

I have had the car for 3 years and it has always had a very noticable exhaust blow from the manifold area. It has a new VAG exhaust which made no difference to the blow. This is most noticable on acceleration when it is quite loud. But it did pass it's MOT twice like this.

It has one of those down pipes with the 2 spring clips and when I removed it the sealing ring was a braided type but the VAG dealer said I should have a new all metal sealing ring. I think the leak is from the sealing ring area and not the manifold to head.

Should I try the braided type ring?

Could the manifold be cracked?
 
Would a manifold from a 1.8 GTi Mk 11 fit my head and would a twin down pipe fit to the rest of my exhaust system?

Hope you can help.

[turbo]

try to find out where its comming from when the engines cold wipe your fingers round the joins of the manifold to downpipe and on the manifold if you can see black soot or you get back soot on your fingers this is where it is blowing!

or start it from cold and then very quickly before the maifold get hot again put your hand near the joins of the manifold and downpipe if your feel air blowing on your hand youve found the leak!

theses problems can be hard to find....

[Blue MK2]

get some tissue paper and place it near the suspected exhaust leak.

if the papers blows away then there is a leak in that area

worth a go

[modulater]

the place you say is normally the common fail spot for exhaust leaks. next time you wash the car and before the exhaust is hot put some of the suds on the area around the join.

If it leaks you'll get bubbles forming.

[Ceptor]

Thanks for the replys. If this is a comon fault is it possible to fit a manifold from a 1.8 16v to this 1.6 engine and use the twin down pipe to connect to the rest of my zorst?

[rubjonny]

I believe an 8v manifold will fit, is the 16v the same size?  If so I think you'll have to get a 8v exhaust to go with it as I think the end of the manifold is different on the 8v and 1.6, but I'm sure any decent exhaust place could put together something to make it fit.

[mk1]

16v manifold won't fit, 1800 8v gti stuff will.
Steve.

[Veedubgt18v]

including camshaft!  

[dubslug]

and i shall soon be able to say wot difference it makes lol

[Blue MK2]

faster