Defender 300tdi front exhaust

[100SRV]

My Defender had been sounding a bit more whistle recently but I attributed this as result of the recent major service. Checking under the front because some litter had blown under there and I was surprised to see a sooty hole in the exhaust.

I suspect that the nuts holding the down pipe on will be seized and I'll end up having to remove the manifold to replace the studs.

Am I over-thinking the job?

TL:DR
Would I be better off passing this job onto the garage?

[camel_landy]

100SRV said:

Would I be better off passing this job onto the garage?

Probably but before you do, get in there with a wire brush and penetrating oil.

Even if you don't have a crack at it yourself, it should make the job a little easier for the garage.

M

[100SRV]

Exactly what I was thinking...

[100SRV]

The job went a lot easier than expected, dosing the exhaust manifold studs with WD40 probably helped.
Needed to use the hi-lift to get enough clearance to sneak the exhaust pipe out from the tight confines of engine bay, chassis and gearbox crossmember though.

Now it is a lot quieter - the old pipe didn't have much life left in it thanks to a crack in the first bend like the Cheddar Gorge.