How to Tell If Your Mini Cooper Exhaust Manifold Is Leaking?

An internal combustion engine relies on manifolds to breathe and stay operational. The word "manifold" comes from "manigfeald" which simply means one pipe with many openings. It is usually made of cast iron, stainless steel, or aluminum and can withstand extremely hot temperatures. It is of two distinct types designed to perform two separate tasks;

• Intake manifold
• Exhaust manifold

The intake manifold sits on the top of your car's engine and is responsible for distributing air among the cylinders (air-fuel mixture in the case of a carburetor-based fuel delivery system). On the other hand, the exhaust manifold is bolted directly to the engine block and it's responsible for collecting the byproducts of the internal combustion process into a single exhaust pipe.

If it goes bad, it would block the passage of combustion gases to the main exhaust pipe. When that happens your Mini Cooper engine won't be able to breathe smoothly. So, learn to recognize the symptoms of a bad exhaust manifold so that you can identify and fix it on time. But first, let's discuss some of the most common reasons behind an exhaust manifold leak in a car.

Mini Cooper exhaust manifold leak - What are the causes?

Listed below are some of the most common explanations for exhaust manifold leak in Mini Cooper;

• Exposure to extreme hot temperature
• Damaged mounting studs
• Flawed manifold gasket
• Improper installation
• Physical damage

Mini Cooper exhaust manifold leak - What are the symptoms?

Loss of acceleration

The optimal pressure difference between the exhaust and intake manifold (Delta P-value) is essential for seamless engine operation. However, a leaking exhaust manifold would destabilize the Delta P-value. As a result of which, your Mini Cooper's engine would run rough and struggle to accelerate. If you don't address the issue, the acceleration problem would continue to worsen over time. So, it's really necessary to identify and fix the leaks in your exhaust manifold.

Bad gas mileage

A decrease in gas mileage could mean a lot of things. From low tire pressure to carrying heavyweight can make your Mini Cooper engine work harder and consume more fuel than normal. But, sometimes, having a damaged or cracked exhaust manifold is the reason why you might be getting bad gas mileage. As we discussed, a faulty exhaust manifold can adversely affect engine performance. When the engine management computer finds out that, the engine is not performing well; it would direct the fuel injectors to deliver more fuel into the combustion chamber. In the wake of this, you would notice a sudden rise in the rate of fuel consumption by your Mini Cooper.

Unusual engine noise

If you hear hissing or tapping noise coming from the engine bay, there's a good chance your Mini Cooper exhaust manifold is cracked. The exhaust manifold is meant to survive continual exposure to extremely hot temperatures. But, metal fatigue due to extreme temperature can damage your car's exhaust manifold. If left unaddressed, it could damage your Mini Cooper's engine beyond repair. So, if you're hearing such strange engine noises when driving your car, check if its exhaust manifold is in good shape or not.

Blinking check engine light

If your Mini Cooper's check engine light is blinking, then the possibility of having a cracked manifold (intake or exhaust) is high. For a smooth engine operation, your car engine is supposed to breathe smoothly. However, having a leaking exhaust manifold would make it really hard for your Mini Cooper's engine to do its job smoothly. When the onboard computer finds out that your car engine is struggling to stay in operation, it would turn on the check engine light in the hope of warning you about the problem in advance.

Mini Cooper exhaust manifold leak - How to diagnose and fix it?

In addition to the above-said signs, you might also smell a burning odor coming from your car's engine bay. If left unaddressed, a leaking exhaust manifold can damage sensitive engine components of your car. So, if you are noticing signs of a leaking exhaust manifold in your Mini Cooper, take it to a reliable auto service center nearby your resident to diagnose and fix the problem.

In conclusion

Manifolds essentially help an internal combustion engine breathe. However, inappropriate back pressure due to a leaking exhaust manifold can make it really hard for your car engine to stay operational. So, symptoms of exhaust manifold leak in your Mini Cooper should not be neglected. Detect and repair the cracks in the manifold as early as possible.

Bavarian Workshop located in West Hills, CA is a premier European automobile maintenance and repair facility that has years of experience in looking after these cars. We have expertise in maintaining Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Porsche.