Leaking Deutz, Deere, Perkins or Ford Industrial Exhaust Manifolds?

How to keep your Exhaust Manifold in check - Tech Tip #13

Leaking exhaust manifolds on a Perkins, Deere or Deutz engine can be annoying. If left alone this can lead to burst exhaust valves. Here's how to stop a leak:

1. Check the manifold flanges with a straight-edge and a feeler gauge.
   You shouldn't be able to slide a .010 inch feeler gauge under the straight edge. Clean and resurface as necessary (a belt surfacer does a good job).
2. Soak the manifold gasket in water and using a blow drier, heat-shrink into place.
3. Use high temp copper silicon around each of the port openings. (Note: the above works only on traditional asbestos-style gaskets.)
4. Because access to the studs or bolts will be limited, use a Snap-on brand high performance 12 point socket with it's thinner walls. The lower priced imported sockets have very thick walls. Dr. Diesel suggests that aftermarket sockets should only be used as sinkers on cod fish rigs.
5. To prevent the bolts from loosening use a high temp silicone sealant like Lock-Tite.
6. Tighten in a circular, hop-scotch pattern as you would a cylinder head. Re-tighten after 10 hours. If working on a torque-to-yield head bolt set up as on a Deutz diesel, and us for the Deutz Workshop manual. You'll need it!