I'd agree with that. I'd also try squirting diluted fairy liquid on the stud and rev it to see if you get anything escaping. Worth a try?TEZ217 wrote:Hi, could still be the manifold stud or one of them, I would try and remove some of the clutter so you can see the engine around the studs look for soot marks around them, mine was no1 stud, noise had been evident on mine for quite some time especially on start up and on first driving then went off, could actually feel exhaust escaping on mine from first start up(but be careful as very hot) and could faintly see exhaust smoke escape when first started, did job myself parts available from motor factors Ford ranger manifold gasket and vauxhall astra Studs from dealer, bit of a job stripping down but not too bad, take off plate at rear of engine space to remove large pipe on the rear of manifold itself in order to allow its complete removal, remove broken stud and replace(I was lucky my broken stud left about 5mm sticking out I was able to remove carefully with stillsons) Actually went on to remove all the studs and replace the lot was advised to get the manifold skimmed but mine was checked and found not to need it.
Andrew
New owener! hence little knowledge.