99' Venture Crossover Pipe Leaking

[jimslaid]

I disconnected the Crossover pipe the other day and I bolted it back up. Now it has smoke pouring out of it at the flange between the front manifold pipe and the crossover pipe. The service engine soon light came on, I assume because the van is running too rich. My question is: Since there wasn't a gasket there when I took it apart should there be a gasket there in the first place? Tightening the bolts down does not help and the connections look darn tight. I live in the desert so rust is not an issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Do I need a gasket like this one : http://www.kragen.com/ProductDetail....ype=97&PTSet=A

Thanks

[lesterl]

That gasket connects the manifold (after the 2 are joined) to the flex connection on the rest of the exhaust system (just replaced mine.) Maybe yours has one on the crossover? It will be placed into a grove cut into one of the pieces, they will mate up flat if it uses that, not cone shaped.

[jimslaid]

Thanks for the reply. Have you replaced a crossover pipe on the 3.4L? Does it require a gasket? I didn't see one when I took it apart. Is there some special way of replacing the crossover to the manifold?

[lesterl]

I havent removed a crossover, but I had to replace the gasket you pictured on my manifold outlet as I replaced the engine and that got neglected/ leaked. Both of those pieces mated together flat, not one inside the other like I think yours works.

[jimslaid]

I asked a muffler shop and they said that they use grease help seal up those ball and cup connectors. I'll try that.

[lesterl]

Let us know how it goes.... and good luck :-)

[jimslaid]

Yeah, the grease helped me line up the pipes, so far so good. After a couple days now the SES light has gone away. Thank you Lester. They are referred to as ball flange exhaust connectors, a 3 bolt on these... What a pain.

[lesterl]

Yeah, never took those apart on a FWD vehicle....