'01 4.7 V8 Exhaust leak

[EricinTN]

My Dakota has developed a slight exhaust leak. It is loud when the engine just starts, but goes away once it's hot. I tracked it down to the right side manifold gasket.

Anyone had to replace the exhaust gaskets? Is it going to be difficult or is it a straightforward job?

[BleedDodge]

The exhaust manifolds don't have gaskets.

[Stevo2]

Mopar#'s
53030812-Right
53030813-Left
Straight forward repair, soak the the bolts/nuts with penetrating lube on a cold engine a couple of hours before you try to remove.


NAPA lists this gasket set.
Item#: NGAMS16336

[EricinTN]

Thanks for the info SteveO.

I don't do alot of repairs on this truck. It doesn't need much attention aside from oil changes, tires, and spark plugs. It's my work truck and I put about 45K miles on it every year. I now have 155K on it. Repairs since I bought it: throttle position sensor, clockspring, A/C fan resistor pack. I'm not counting brake pads and disks, those wear out on every vehicle. I love this truck.

[sneakybert]

Make sure you order new bolts . Chances are at least one is broken off . The good news is that the broken stud usually comes out of the cylinder head fairly easily with pliers or vise grips .

[BleedDodge]

Why don't they come with gaskets from the factory? And you can buy them now?

That doesn't make any sense to me.

[sneakybert]

All 4.7 l engines come from the factory with exhaust manifold gaskets .

[BleedDodge]

Right yeah, I thought this was a magnum engine for some reason. Thanks man.

It was in the topic title and everything, haha.