Replacing Exhaust Manifold gaskets

[Stan&Jacquie]

As luck would have it, just learned my 2007 Knight with ISC 330 engine needs new exhaust gaskets. Was quoted $2200 for the job. Is this about right or ami I getting hosed? Tech said they figure 20 hours of work.

[Twomed]

I'm no tech but I am 70, so it took me about 6 hours...must be slowing down.


Do a search in the Cummins section above RV Forum... Powertrain Garage. Most folks pay $1800-$3000. Soak all the bolts really well for several days so they don't break any and haggle on the price. Parts about .$100

[guardrail53]

Is your Knight a rear radiator or side? I'm thinking it is a rear, and depending on the access, $2200.00 sounds around the right price. Get a second opinion? Can't hurt? Anytime you go messing around with the exhaust bolts, turbo bolts, things can go south quickly! Make sure this is "out-the-door" price!
I would per-soak all the bolts with a really good penetrating oil like "Kroil oil" http://www.kanolabs.com/msn/
for two or three days before hand, to lessen the breakage factor! Good luck!
Rail!

[jacwjames]

I had an exhaust manifold crack in 2015. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined and decided to change it myself. The parts cost ~$650, it took me a day to remove and reinstall and I didn't have the the "cool" tools that a professional mechanic would have and/or some of the tricks of the trade.

I've seen other posts regarding replacing exhaust manifold and usually this will cost ~$2000 due to the cost of the manifold itself. Their hourly rate is probably ~$150/ hour. Hard to believe they would have +13 hours into the job.

One thing that my increase the time/cost is the access to the top of the engine. All my work was done via the engine hatch covers, one of mine is in the closet and the other just in front of the closet. It was tedious working through the hatch.

This type of job could be done by a good mechanic, doesn't necessarily have to be a "Cummins" shop.

[RamiDav]

20 hrs seems a bit much to me , I replaced my exhaust manifold on my 03 Windsor
a while back and even at 75 I'm pretty sure it didn't take me 20 hrs .
Come on that's 1/2 of a 40 hr week .
As I recall virtually all the work had to be done from the inside , a little from under
the coach to prop up the exhaust pipe .
I don't believe the manifold needs to be completely removed to change gaskets
unless the manifold needs resurfacing , in that case I would replace it the manifold .
In either case new bolts should be installed .

If you can I would inspect the manifold from the bed room hatch since there is
a real good chance the manifold will be cracked , they seem to be prone to crack .

Ray & Marilyn
03 Windsor PST

[monacojim]

I had my manifold (2001 ISC 330 RR8R) replaced with the newer 2 piece and parts were about $600, labor and parts total was about $2,000. It seems like a high price if all they are replacing is gaskets.

[CJScepter]

I had mine replaced about 5 years ago by Cummins in Coburg Oregon. I have side radiator and all work was done from rear access. It took the tech 3-4 hours, cost was around $1300-$1400 with the new manifolds. The old manifolds( 2 piece) were warped too much to true up.
John G

[BobJones]

I did mine on an ISC 315 rear radiator. To make it easier I just removed the entire bed assembly. It was not a bad job but I have a good impact and proper tools so no broken bolts etc. Bought both sides of a new manifold/gaskets/bolts etc - all from Cummins. It went really well. I believe I had everything off in 2 hours and did the re-install the next day ~1.5 hours?

But, that's doing it yourself. A shop will be more, rightly so (in most cases). I made really good time on it and the difference was amazing. The PAC brake started working again, the engine was much quiter etc. I had looked into pricing at the time and for replacing the manifold that price would have been about right.

[steined]

That price seems outrageous to me.

I replaced the exhaust manifold after a crack on my ISC 350 on my own. I think the parts for that job were around $650.

As someone else said, buy some kroil or WD 40 Specialist Rust Penetrant (https://wd40specialist.com/products/penetrating-oil/) , soak the bolts over a period of several days, and it is possible to do it on your own. I had never tackled a job like this on my own. Took me about 8 hours in total to replace manifold, turbo oil line, turbo gaskets, pac gaskets, and the exhaust gaskets. The gaskets alone would take far less. (Un-bolt most of the bolts, move the manifold out from the head, slide in new gaskets, tighten with torque wrentch) There is only one bolt that was tricky to access from the top and an offset wrench got the job done for me.

I'd get another opinion.

[Stan&Jacquie]

Many thanks men.....your posts are very helpful. Off to shop tomorrow to "talk turkey"!!!

[Stan&Jacquie]

Final update: Had job done at my Cummins Service Center. Replaced manifolds and exhaust gaskets...no broken bolts....final cost $1906. Drove to Florida from PA without incident. Happy New Year!

[guardrail53]

Thanks for the update! Glad you got "out the door" a little cheaper than the quote! Rail!

[hardy1000]

I just paid $1800 to have a new exhaust manifold with new studs and gasket on my ISL400 at a Cummins service center.