Bean93x

I am looking for a diagram of the stock exhaust system for an '05 E55 and have yet to find one. Would any of you happen to have one handy?

Reason being is I have a slight exhaust leak that is coming from the front driver side that is pretty nasty sounding at a cold start up but seems to get better once it warms up and is still pronounced under mid to heavy acceleration. I don't believe it is coming from the head to manifold gasket but perhaps closer to the manifold to collector/ pipe area say around where the front end meets the firewall (in simple terms). From my understanding there are eight? gaskets on the stock exhaust system in a whole and due to financial matters I would like to replace the direct issue myself until I can pay to have them all done, professionally. Thank you all in advance!

Rocman8

where the manifold meets the midpipe by the firewall are at the collector there is only 1 connection per side so 2 total and there are no gaskets there. there are 4 gaskets total per side where the manifold mates to the head. did the noise just start out of no where or was there recent repairs made? most likely the actual manifold is probably leaking since ive never seen a benz exhaust manifold gasket leak unless it was improperly installed.

stockC43

You will find that the manifold is cracked at the weld of the outlet flange. It will be very hard to see with the manifold in the car. The crack usally appears due to bad engine mounts and your manifold is actually holding your engine down.

Some pix of what happens. The manifold comes out easily and can be welded or replaced.

https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...k-top-cat.html

Bean93x

No recent repairs were made except for a cat being replaced about 4k miles ago by previous owner. And it kind of just came out of nowhere. It kind of baffles me how it would be noisy at a cold start but quiet down once it warmed up which made me think gasket.

Bean93x

I will definitely have to look into this. Hope it isn't the case but what needs done will need done. I'll try to give it a good looking over tomorrow in the day light.

Bean93x

Now just curious, if the manifold is indeed cracked and due to faulty engine mounts. Are there two or three engine mounts? I've seen conflicting numbers. I also already have a brand new beck tranny mount in a box to put in and I think it would be a good idea to knock them all out at once.

This place has genuine merc for $147 individually... I know you get what you pay for with mercedes but are there any equally good substitutes out there?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/..._pg2.htm#item6

DVC

I think stockC43 nailed it.

There are 2 motor mounts and one trans mount. Good time to do headers if you find it cracked, or:

https://mbworld.org/forums/engine-pe...converter.html

Bean93x

Money won't allow me to do headers at the moment sadly . I took a look this morning and couldn't see anything that would warrant a replacement of a manifold gasket nor did I feel any air coming from the manifold area but I did notice that there is some red sealant on the connection of the manifold to cat. Did MB use a high temp sealant from factory? or would that have been something the exhaust shop did when they installed the cat? I'm about to contact the previous owner to see if the driver side is the one that was done. I'm thinking that may be the issue since I would think it would expand from the hot air being pushed through the exhaust causing the leak to subside a bit after driving but become apparent again when heavy acceleration is applied.

Even if the manifold isn't cracked, I still plan on doing motor mounts since there is a faint vibration in the car especially if I'm stopped and in neutral.

stockC43

It honestly should only take 20 minutes to pull the manifold as long as the bolts aren't severely rusted. I'm willing to bet it's cracked. Seen it many times, including my own e55 when I had it. Pull it and bring it to a exhaust shop and have it welded if your on a budget. I welded mine a year and a half ago and it's still going strong. Took me less than a hour to pull it, weld it and reinstall it.

Bean93x

Alright. I'll probably just end up doing that then. I know plenty of people around here that weld and could get a friend discount if needed

I think its about time to do valve cover gaskets anyways.. Mind as well get everything knocked out at once.

Now my only question at the moment is if it was standard for MB to use a sealant around the manifold to cat connection..

Rocman8

It is not standard for mercedes or the dealerships to use an exhaust sealant.

Bean93x

Thank you