Exhaust manifold removal
02-07-2018, 11:06 AM
#1
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Exhaust manifold removal
Can anyone give me any tips/tricks in getting the OEM manifolds off? Passenger side isn't too bad, but there is a real shortage of room on the driver's side, plus the main a/c line is in the way. Can't get access well from underneath either. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
02-07-2018, 11:29 AM
#2
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2012 P31 C63 Coupe Trackrat, 2019 GLE63S Coupe Beast
Hey Doc. You're asking a lot of pretty basic questions lately that could be much more easily resolved by a couple of searches through the forum. Just trying to help here.
Rotation is key for the manifolds. Getting them off shouldn't really be difficult, it's getting headers on that most people get stuck on. Drop the steering column and remove the heat shields for more maneuvering room.
Rotation is key for the manifolds. Getting them off shouldn't really be difficult, it's getting headers on that most people get stuck on. Drop the steering column and remove the heat shields for more maneuvering room.
02-07-2018, 11:59 AM
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Lol, if only!! I've spent hours researching before asking these questions. There is zilch. Every thread is either for a different platform or offers no specifics. Perhaps I'm missing something as my phone won't utilize the search feature on the usercp bar, just the one at the top right and it gives no useful results. Nor does Google. Thanks for the heat shield idea, that will help. I was debating on the column and also the ac line.
Last edited by Doc Oc; 02-07-2018 at 12:07 PM.
02-07-2018, 12:21 PM
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a unicorn tuned p30 e63
Other than removing the steering column and shields one of the best ways to get the headers in and out is to remove the bottom bolt of the motor mounts so you can lift the motor, sometimes you can even put in one bolt and then lift the other side to get a better angle.
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Doc Oc (02-07-2018)
02-07-2018, 12:22 PM
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Wrong search box. Use the drop-down called "Search This Forum". Right side at the top of the posts.
Try searching for "headers DIY".
Try searching for "headers DIY".
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02-07-2018, 01:00 PM
#8
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Thanks, I saw that suggested for one of the other platforms but didn't know if it applied.
02-07-2018, 01:23 PM
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Seems that there isn't much left to cover though. Remove the shields, drop the steering shaft and go for it. All of which I've done this a.m but still can't get a wrench on the two front top ones (ac line totally in the way) and the two front bottom bolts. Your help is appreciated though!
02-07-2018, 01:27 PM
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Thanks, I was able to narrow the results by going advanced and searching titles only. Unfortunately the only thread I found for our platform was so old the pics were gone and there wasn't much of a write up. Lots of results for the w211,203, etc Seems that there isn't much left to cover though. Remove the shields, drop the steering shaft and go for it. All of which I've done this a.m but still can't get a wrench on the two front top ones (ac line totally in the way) and the two front bottom bolts. Your help is appreciated though!
Seems that there isn't much left to cover though. Remove the shields, drop the steering shaft and go for it. All of which I've done this a.m but still can't get a wrench on the two front top ones (ac line totally in the way) and the two front bottom bolts. Your help is appreciated though!
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Doc Oc (02-07-2018)
02-07-2018, 04:57 PM
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2012 C63;1971 280SE 3.5(Sold);2023 EQS 450 SUV 4 Matic (Wife's)
Take off the driver's side valve cover. If you are really careful you will be able to reuse the gasket. I have done it twice with no leaks. It will give you enough room to maneuver. Pull the AC tube as far out of the way as you can get it and tie it back. Still very tight but enough room to get the job done.
02-07-2018, 05:06 PM
#12
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Take off the driver's side valve cover. If you are really careful you will be able to reuse the gasket. I have done it twice with no leaks. It will give you enough room to maneuver. Pull the AC tube as far out of the way as you can get it and tie it back. Still very tight but enough room to get the job done.
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6444johnf (12-10-2023)
02-07-2018, 07:32 PM
#13
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Was finally able to get the top two back nuts off (well, one nut and one nut and stud) and the driver's side is done! Eventually found that the best way to get to them was for me to be under the car guiding the socket while my wife held it from the top. Once I got it in place she was able to break them loose (oddly enough none of them required much power to break free) and that was all she wrote. Spent the entire day on a creeper and am so sore (getting too old for this) but very happy to be on the back end of it. Tomorrow afternoon the passenger side comes off, then the new manifolds and armytrix downpipes go on. Hitting the dyno next week to see what the gains are. Thanks to everyone for their help!
09-09-2018, 08:44 PM
#14
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Was finally able to get the top two back nuts off (well, one nut and one nut and stud) and the driver's side is done! Eventually found that the best way to get to them was for me to be under the car guiding the socket while my wife held it from the top. Once I got it in place she was able to break them loose (oddly enough none of them required much power to break free) and that was all she wrote. Spent the entire day on a creeper and am so sore (getting too old for this) but very happy to be on the back end of it. Tomorrow afternoon the passenger side comes off, then the new manifolds and armytrix downpipes go on. Hitting the dyno next week to see what the gains are. Thanks to everyone for their help!
09-10-2018, 10:46 PM
#15
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On some of the tough to get to nuts (especially on passenger side) I used a long extension with a universal on the end and had my daughter hold the socket in place from above while I wrenched from below. We also had to reverse that on one of the nuts (can't remember which one) where I held it in place from below and she wrenched from the top. There wasn't enough room to properly do it without help. Also, I removed the heat shields which gave a little more room. Hope that helps.
09-11-2018, 09:45 AM
#16
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[QUOTE=Doc Oc;7550909]On some of the tough to get to nuts (especially on passenger side) I used a long extension with a universal on the end and had my daughter hold the socket in place from above while I wrenched from below. We also had to reverse that on one of the nuts (can't remember which one) where I held it in place from below and she wrenched from the top. There wasn't enough room to properly do it without help. Also, I removed the heat shields which gave a little more room. Hope that helps.
Thanks 👍🏽
Thanks 👍🏽
