Exhaust Gasket: Operation, Maintenance and Price

The exhaust gasket of your car is the part that is located between the manifold and the cylinder head, if you didn't know about its existence until now, this article is for you, we will explain everything about this part of your engine, its role, when to change it and the price his changes!

🚗 What is an exhaust manifold?

The exhaust system directs flue gases from the engine to the rear of the vehicle so that they can be released. In addition to this role, the exhaust system of your car must be able to perform other functions: to reduce the noise produced by exhaust gases when they are discharged, and to reduce the level of gas pollution.

The exhaust system consists of different parts:

• Le exhaust manifold : It is connected to the cylinder head of the engine and is responsible for collecting the exhaust gases emitted by your car's engine. The exhaust manifold will attenuate combustion noise and transfer heat to the catalytic converter to the rear of your vehicle.
• Le catalytic converter : It consists of catalysts that convert toxic gases into carbon dioxide and water vapor, making them less harmful.
• La oxygen probe : allows you to maintain the correct air / fuel ratio by taking several parameters into account, such as the temperature of the engine or the coolant.
• Le silent : Its role is to reduce exhaust noise by moving the noise to the resonance boxes.

Now that you know how your car's exhaust system works, we are going to tell you in more detail what your exhaust manifold gasket, more commonly known as an exhaust gasket, is used for.

?? What is your exhaust manifold gasket used for?

The main purpose of an exhaust gasket is to prevent exhaust gases from escaping when they reach the exhaust manifold and thus ensure that they are transported safely to the exhaust line. For an exhaust gasket to be fully waterproof and in good condition, it must meet three criteria:

• Be sufficient heat-resistant : Exhaust gases can reach very high temperatures up to 800 degrees.
• Être pressure resistant : the gases escaping during combustion are usually at a pressure of 2 to 3 bar, therefore the seal must be able to withstand the violation of this pressure.
• Être waterproof : The outlet gasket must seal the intake manifold and the exhaust manifold.

There are several types of exhaust gaskets: one-piece (only one gasket is installed, it is located between the manifold and the cylinder head) and gasket sets (there is a gasket on each engine cylinder).

🗓️ When to change the exhaust gasket?

As with all parts directly connected to your car's engine, you must pay particular attention to the condition of your exhaust gasket. Exhaust gaskets can wear out due to corrosion, engine vibration, or the high temperatures to which they are constantly exposed. If your gasket is worn out and you don't do anything, you run the risk of damaging the pistons or cylinder head of the engine pretty quickly, which can lead to very costly repairs. Certain symptoms should also indicate the condition of the manifold gasket. Here is a list of the most common symptoms indicating that you will soon need to replace your exhaust gasket:

• You consume more fuel
• You smell an unusual smell in the vehicle interior.
• You can see traces of soot on the exhaust manifold
• Your exhaust makes noise when you accelerate

🔧 How to change an exhaust gasket

If you notice one of the symptoms mentioned above and you need to replace the exhaust gasket after checking, here's how to proceed in a few steps. Please note that this guide should only be followed if you already know a little about mechanics. If you do not have the required skills, we advise you to contact one of our certified mechanics.

• Stop the car first and do not forget to let the engine cool down.
• Find the battery and disconnect it
• Then render the collector
• Disassemble the manifold, then remove the gasket from the manifold.
• Take control of your new gasket
• Lubricate the manifold gasket.
• Install a new gasket on the manifold.
• Assemble the exhaust manifold.
• Once all the other parts are in place, you can reconnect the battery.
• Restart the engine and make sure you no longer notice the symptoms you previously experienced.

Now you know how to replace the exhaust manifold gasket. Again, this intervention should be performed by a professional mechanic to avoid further inconvenience.

?? How much does it cost to replace the gasket?

In some cases, an exhaust gasket will be supplied, which will be used to replace the cylinder head gasket. If you buy this kit from a distributor, you will have to pay between 100 and 200 euros.

You can also find the individual exhaust manifold gaskets directly from your manufacturer, in which case the price will be much lower, expect a maximum of € 30 per part.

To this price you will have to add the cost of labor. To find out the exact price for a replacement exhaust gasket, you can use our online garage comparator, tell us your registration number, the intervention you want, as well as your city, and we will provide you with a list of the best garages at the best price to replace your vehicle's exhaust system gasket.