Rb20 Exhaust Manifold Gasket

[Tonks]

Hey guys and gals quick few questions.

Pulled my turbo and mani off today to change my gaskets and replace manifold studs.

My manifold gasket looked a bit average and I had a closer look on the manifold itself. There were two to three smaller sections also on the manifold itself. Is this someones average attempt at trying to seal a leak by re-using the old gasket and some new smaller sections? Or is this normal?

You can see in the photo below one of the sections had broken off plus some smaller ones in question.

When the car comes on boost above 10psi I get a high pitched whistle (sounds like a kettle on steriods), hence why I was changing all my exhaust gaskets.

[iruvyouskyrine]

That high pitched whistle is definitely a blown gasket. I'd say that yes, it just a dodgy job done by someone else thinking that the more gaskets you have the better is has to be right?!

Replace with new gasket and your away.

[Ben C34]

I think that gasket is normal, aside from being broken apart.

Edited October 8, 2013 by superben

[Kane_R32]

the two "smaller pieces" (top right and top middle) should be apart of the gasket. If you look at the bottom gasket the first two ports you can see the gasket its kind of layered. It's hard to explain but look at where the studs go and you will see a smalled inner hole and then 2-3mm outer hole, which is what the top two peices create.

The top left gasket is the "whole peice" that snapped right off..

[Tonks]

I see what you mean, but they haven't come off the gasket they're separate individual gaskets.

I too thought the same but if u look close enough they were never from the main gasket.

I've got a multi layer one I'm about to put on this arvo along with new ones for everything else. Hopefully fixes all my exhaust leaks.

[Missileman]

probably a good idea to have the manifold re-surfaced, might be the reason someone used extra gaskets????

[Missileman]

...at least put a straight edge across it and check for any warp, or take it somewhere that can check it for you.

[Tonks]

Got the manifold machined, wasn't too bad to begin with but while it was out it couldn't hurt.

New studs, washers and spacers, metal multi layer manifold gasket and replaced turbo-mani and dump gaskets. Wow haha wish I did that ages ago haha

Car feels completely different, can't wait to go and get it re-tuned now and see the improvments, last tune was 18-24 months ago.

Thanks to all who replied

[ZRBE]

I'm about to do my exhaust manifold gasket and studs (new OEM parts)

Just wondering if I'm forgetting anything.. I have a t04e high mount and should I redo the gaskets on that as well? Rb20det..

And yes, I know. Shit turbo.. Still don't want to re-use gaskets if I shouldn't..