Boston Mechanic

[dilbert]

Hey all, looking for a good mechanic in the Boston area that can fix a broken bolt on the exhaust manifold. I've been to a couple places and every time I say the word turbo I get a look of horror. They don't even want to touch it.

From what I understand the entire manifold needs to be taken off and the broken bolt needs to be somehow unscrewed or drilled out... The gasket probably needs replacing as well.

Sucks...

 

[emespea]

did it snap off flush with the manifold? If it did when you take the mani off you can just get a vice grip on there and get it out. If it snapped off flush with the head, thats where it gets uglier. As long as the gasket isnt dented or blown out you can reuse it (its metal). Its a pretty big job though (especially if its never been removed), thats probably why they dont want to mess with it. Are you handy? Cause theres quite a few docs on here to tell you how to remove the turbo. I have one as well i made.

 

[dilbert]

I am not sure if the bolt broke off flush with the manifold or if there is enough left to grab it with a pair of vice grips. I recall the mechanic saying it might be sticking out a bit... Of course I never got to see it. The flange is covering it up. How easy is it to take the flange off? I'm not a car guy so I probably shouldn't be messing around with it too much.

did it snap off flush with the manifold? If it did when you take the mani off you can just get a vice grip on there and get it out. If it snapped off flush with the head, thats where it gets uglier. As long as the gasket isnt dented or blown out you can reuse it (its metal). Its a pretty big job though (especially if its never been removed), thats probably why they dont want to mess with it. Are you handy? Cause theres quite a few docs on here to tell you how to remove the turbo. I have one as well i made.

 

[dilbert]

by flange I mean heat shield...not down with the terms..

I am not sure if the bolt broke off flush with the manifold or if there is enough left to grab it with a pair of vice grips. I recall the mechanic saying it might be sticking out a bit... Of course I never got to see it. The flange is covering it up. How easy is it to take the flange off? I'm not a car guy so I probably shouldn't be messing around with it too much.

 

[emespea]

by flange I mean heat shield...not down with the terms..

heat shield is like 3 rusty bolts but you will only be able to move it out of the way cause the 02 sensor and hot pipe. you can see them right on top (warning: due to heat cycling, they may snap too). If its even with the mani thats good, if its set into the mani hole, thats not as good. but if your not sure if you should do it, it might not be the job for you. Its not that its the hardest thing, but its alot to take off and if its stock, theres probably alot of rusty bolts which may also snap. First time, its definately a whole weekend job.

 

[jred321]

post in the new england section for more help. lots of guys from the boston area who would either help or know a good mechanic http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=171

 

[Wagonbacker9]

just grab an EX-out set... should be able to get it yourself and save quite a few bucks.

 

[dilbert]

Thanks for the replies.

Wagonbacker9 - What's en ex-out set?

 

[jred321]

i assume he meant ez out. it's a screw extractor. basically something you screw into the broken stud and you use that to remove the broken stud. http://www.toolprice.com/category/screwextractors/

 

[Wagonbacker9]

damn my typing fail! thanks jared.

 

[dilbert]

OK, thanks. It's a tight area so just getting in there will be work... I sense pain in my future.

i assume he meant ez out. it's a screw extractor. basically something you screw into the broken stud and you use that to remove the broken stud. http://www.toolprice.com/category/screwextractors/

 

[Wagonbacker9]

welcome to MSP ownership. by your join date I'd guess you'd know this by now. lol

 

[dilbert]

Oh yeah, drove it right out of the showroom floor in 03. Over the years it's occurred to me to drive it off a cliff. I wouldn't be in it of course. (crazy)

welcome to MSP ownership. by your join date I'd guess you'd know this by now. lol