Exhaust manifold leak

[jc312]

Shocker, right? Lol

I've been doing some casual research in the past about my 2020, what issues to look for, etc.

Sure enough, mine has developed an exhaust leak at right under 49,000 miles, coming from the passenger side. Once it warms up, the leak "disappears" When it's cold, you can clearly hear it.

Watched a vid on swapping to shorty headers, mainly just to see the procedure. Looks pretty easy. But when I went out to take a second look at mine, realized the air suspension might/might not pose a challenge. It just looks like it might interfere with clearances. Figured I'd ask on here if it does or doesn't.

Also have read how there's a possibility of removing, brazing the crack (if it is indeed cracked, and re-installing. Thoughts?

Thanks for any help

 

[theblet]

Shorties are prone to weld breaks, and some offer any performance gains on a stock truck. Do a search on exhaust manifold leaks in the forum. You’ll find tons of info

 

[Scram1500]

BD Diesel will be your best bet

 

[jws1982]

I’ve dealt with that issue twice in the past. Other shorties did very little if anything to help performance. The passenger side swap should go smoothly. It’s the driver side that’s the headache. Also, there most likely will be bolts stuck in the head that you’ll have to extract.

Since it doesn’t actually cause any issues besides the tick, I stopped worrying about it and let it go until it got pretty loud. Seems like one or two bolts would break not too long after they were replaced. I know Mopar moved to stronger bolts, but that just causes the stock manifolds to crack more often.

 

[theblet]

BD Diesel will be your best bet

Yup

 

[Anchor Down]

They are under an exhaust/emmissions warranty with the Government 8 year/80,000 mile. Check your sticker. Mine were replaced for free with 55,000.

 

[jc312]

Appreciate all the replies. I am planning on going to the dealership to see if it's covered. I did pay an extra $30/month for extended warranty, but the couple times I've been back in there they act kinda shady, so wanted to be a little more informed before I went in. I did buy it used with only 10k miles, but it's been a nice truck so far.
Hoping they will replace them for me under warranty. The 8 year/80k mile thing is interesting. Which sticker to look for?
Thanks again everyone, I'll let yall know how it goes

 

[theblet]

Appreciate all the replies. I am planning on going to the dealership to see if it's covered. I did pay an extra $30/month for extended warranty, but the couple times I've been back in there they act kinda shady, so wanted to be a little more informed before I went in. I did buy it used with only 10k miles, but it's been a nice truck so far.
Hoping they will replace them for me under warranty. The 8 year/80k mile thing is interesting. Which sticker to look for?
Thanks again everyone, I'll let yall know how it goes

Manifolds are not covered by the 8 year emissions warranty

 

[Cbty2050]

BD Diesel will be your best bet

Why? We don't have any long term proof they will last any longer than oem or shorty's(the one so many people raved about until they sucked too).

His may still be covered by powertrain.

 

[theblet]

Why? We don't have any long term proof they will last any longer than oem or shorty's(the one so many people raved about until they sucked too).

His may still be covered by powertrain.

It seems to most that BD manifolds are better quality and have improvements over the stock ones. Haven’t heard anything negative about them yet. They also have a 75,000 warranty

Exhaust Manifold Kit | RAM 5.7L HEMI 1500 | 1041467

Experience unparalleled performance and durability with our enhanced Dodge/RAM truck exhaust manifolds, specifically designed for the 5.7L HEMI engines.

us.bddiesel.com

 

[jc312]

Just watched a vid on YT that had the upper rear manifold bolt snapped off (passenger side) Sounds very similar to mine. They just removed the broken bolt and replaced the bolts and gasket.

Many comments suggested they should have machined the manifold flat, which makes sense. I have a piece of granite countertop I use for sanding parts flat. Hopefully won't have to worry about any of it and Ram takes care of it. But does seem like it might just be a broken bolt

 

[Willwork4truck]

Keep us updated as several owners have had or will have the same issue. Mileage varies yet yours in on the younger end.
I'd think the power train may cover it. The extended molar should, it's not a "wear out" part like brakes, belts or wipers.

 

[cubb99]

I too believe that I have an exhaust manifold issue on my 2020 Ram with 76000 miles on it. I've been hearing a small tick, and my MPG has shot down as of late. Only getting 13 mpg on the highway. Does anyone have any experience buying the shorty headers from BBK? A mechanic buddy of mine suggested that over the BD Diesel replacement as he thought the BD Diesel one would be more susceptible to cracking again.

Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 1-3/4

Improve the power and sound from your 2019-2023 Dodge Ram 5.7L V8 Hemi with these BBK Performance shorty headers. BBK Performance shorty headers will increase your exhaust flow giving you additional horsepower and torque.

bbkperformance.com

 

[theblet]

I too believe that I have an exhaust manifold issue on my 2020 Ram with 76000 miles on it. I've been hearing a small tick, and my MPG has shot down as of late. Only getting 13 mpg on the highway. Does anyone have any experience buying the shorty headers from BBK? A mechanic buddy of mine suggested that over the BD Diesel replacement as he thought the BD Diesel one would be more susceptible to cracking again.

Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L Hemi 1-3/4

Improve the power and sound from your 2019-2023 Dodge Ram 5.7L V8 Hemi with these BBK Performance shorty headers. BBK Performance shorty headers will increase your exhaust flow giving you additional horsepower and torque.

bbkperformance.com

Could work. With shorties you take a chance of cracked welds, uneven surfaces, and more heat under the hood. So you may have to wrap them since the heat shields wont fit.

Hard to say what the right answer is honestly.

 

[bigdodge]

They are under an exhaust/emmissions warranty with the Government 8 year/80,000 mile. Check your sticker. Mine were replaced for free with 55,000.

do you have proof of this?

 

[cubb99]

Could work. With shorties you take a chance of cracked welds, uneven surfaces, and more heat under the hood. So you may have to wrap them since the heat shields wont fit.

Hard to say what the right answer is honestly.

Gotcha, ya I didn't know to much about these things so i'm just trying to find the best possible fix so I dont have to deal with this issue again. I've seen a lot of ppl post about the BD Diesel manifolds too.

 

[theblet]

do you have proof of this?

They aren’t covered, might have fallen under something else, or they did a good will replacement

 

[theblet]

Gotcha, ya I didn't know to much about these things so i'm just trying to find the best possible fix so I dont have to deal with this issue again. I've seen a lot of ppl post about the BD Diesel manifolds too.

I was thinking the same thing if mine cracked. Might as well upgrade to shorties, but after reading about it, it seems just as bad. I’ll prob go BD also when the time comes