$1200 later, I still can't get a break..

[Patrick Sullivan]

Ok, went into the tranny shop this afternoon, and the truck was done. Hooray! And it came to a total of $1246. Boo. Oh well, I've got a fresh tranny and driveshaft now, and no college fund left.

Before I leave, though, the tranny guy says something to me.. "I noticed your exhaust had a little crack in it. Might wanna check it out." Didn't really think much of it, and I start it up.. BWUUMUMUMUM! What the hell? Why is it so loud? Pop the hood, look around a bit, and I notice THIS:



What the hell? How did that happen? It sure wasn't like that when I had it before! The tranny guy said he noticed that when he first got it, but I dunno. I don't see how a tranny guy could break an exhaust manifold.. maybe the tow over broke it. Maybe it was already cracked and just ready to break. I dunno.

Not very cool, though. I just noticed the plug boot on the right is sort of melting from the heat. Not cool either. I don't even know how the bottom half of the manifold is still held up there - it's pretty much separated from the top. Can't be good for my engine to run like this.. though I drove it the 80 some miles from Portland to here, and the engine was running fine.. a little on the warm side, and sure was backfiring a lot, but it was running. Thought I was gonna get pulled over it was so loud. The white flames shooting out the gap kinda look cool, though.

I think I'm gonna buy a Honda Civic..