I took the 1992 3.8l to the garage for the annual car safety inspection (APK) today and to my surprise it failed the test! Apparently the flexible joint in the first exhaust manifold (cylinders 1-3) took so much wear and tear over the last 12 years that it started leaking. As a result, the lambda probe further down the exhaust registers a high oxigen level (as fresh air now enters the exhaust through the faulty manifold) and responds by making the fuel much richer. This results in unburned fuel, which apparently causes the carbon monoxide level of the exhaust gas to go skyhigh (and way over the level tolerated by law).
Now replacing the leaking manifold seems the only option, but this thing turns out to be 1500 euro for the 3.8l (1300 euro for the 3.6l models)! That is excluding labour for replacing it.
Am I out of luck and do I face spending around 2k (manifold + labour) for a three-cylinder manifold piece, or do I have more options? I haven't searched the auction sites yet, but 3.8l M5's are rare in the Netherlands, so unused, 2nd hand manifolds that are in good condition must be even worse. Where do I start?
P.S.
The part's serial number is 11.621317080
cheers,
Erik
:cheers:
Now replacing the leaking manifold seems the only option, but this thing turns out to be 1500 euro for the 3.8l (1300 euro for the 3.6l models)! That is excluding labour for replacing it.
Am I out of luck and do I face spending around 2k (manifold + labour) for a three-cylinder manifold piece, or do I have more options? I haven't searched the auction sites yet, but 3.8l M5's are rare in the Netherlands, so unused, 2nd hand manifolds that are in good condition must be even worse. Where do I start?
P.S.
The part's serial number is 11.621317080
cheers,
Erik
:cheers: