Crack in stock headers...

[somefool]

Hey guys i noticed a hairline crack running at the corner of cyl#5 header a few weeks back and thought nothing of it, as the crack was small.

After installing a new oxy sensor last week the car ran like a dream again + the engine bay was so much cooler than it was when it was running the old fried o2 sensor. Last few days the engine is running hot ( like hurts-your-hand-hot) again and ive noticed that the crack has got bigger.
So I'm guessing that air in getting into the exhaust manifold is giving the oxy sensor a false reading so the ECU is dumping more fuel to try to 'warm up' the engine thats allready hot..

Is there anything i can use to fix the header? like a sealant that i can use to cover over the crack , or do I have to resort to welding it...
Getting new one's are a possibility.. but i kind of.. havn't got any money atm..

Would there be any major consequences if i just leave it?
thanks
-man this is almost an essay

 

[somefool]

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ok um i think youl need a facebook to see em,, god it would have just been easier to open a photobucket account.

 

[wildss]

yeah just weld em up its the easiest way

 

[somefool]

ok, so there isnt any kind of easy apply sealant that doesnt involve havin to take off the headers? it just looks like a huge prick of a job to do + the most ive got are chassis stands

 

[88GreenVN]

ok, so there isnt any kind of easy apply sealant that doesnt involve havin to take off the headers? it just looks like a huge prick of a job to do + the most ive got are chassis stands

Not that can take the heat. Very common to crack. It's take em off and weld or replace.

I had a cracked header for about 6 months on my wagon - fixed em when the welsh plug went and needed to be repaired .

Wont kill the car - but not good for it either.

 

[somefool]

ok thanks, damn i guess thats the go then.. bloody hell old age can be a b**ch.

would it affect fuel economy a bit? as the ECU may be getting wrong o2 readings ect?

 

[greenfoam]

Wont be easy to weld cast headers properly. But I've seen some dude making thicker stronger ones

 

[88GreenVN]

Bummer - forgot they changed to cast iron headers. My 88 VN wagon had the steel tube headers - so much easier to weld than cast.

 

[somefool]

I guess it would be worth a shot, if/when ive got the right rods.

I dont suppose welding them with MIG would do it any good? as heat would be too fast and MIG would melt the iron too much?
-I'm just going off info pulled off a google search on welding cast iron. - http://www.grahamandrews.com/welding_repairs.htm

All i need is a patch over the crack really, and stop it from spreading too

 

[savage1987]

Hey guys i noticed a hairline crack running at the corner of cyl#5 header a few weeks back and thought nothing of it, as the crack was small.

After installing a new oxy sensor last week the car ran like a dream again + the engine bay was so much cooler than it was when it was running the old fried o2 sensor. Last few days the engine is running hot ( like hurts-your-hand-hot) [it's supposed to run hot, it's an engine. Operating temp is in the high 90degC range.] again and ive noticed that the crack has got bigger.
So I'm guessing that air in getting into the exhaust manifold is giving the oxy sensor a false reading so the ECU is dumping more fuel to try to 'warm up' the engine thats allready hot.. [more fuel COOLS the motor, not warms.. not sure on o2 sensor being affected by header crack]

Is there anything i can use to fix the header? like a sealant that i can use to cover over the crack , or do I have to resort to welding it... [get a 2nd hand header, they are throwaway items on these cars. Or pick up some 2nd hand extractors, I got my Pacemakers for $150. Only choice unfortunately if you want to fix this]
Getting new one's are a possibility.. but i kind of.. havn't got any money atm..

Would there be any major consequences if i just leave it? [probably not, no. My VN stock header was cracked for yeeears, probably not as bad as yours though]
thanks
-man this is almost an essay

see bold parts^