Wife's 03 Durango has 4.7L. about 85k miles.

Developed what sounds like either an intake or exhaust leak on the passenger side. Becomes audible when accelerating, up a hill, etc.

Based on history of these motors, is one more likely than the other? At a quick glance I wasn't sure which it was....I'm thinking more likely exhaust leak either at the head/exhaust manifold or the exhaust manifold connection to the exhaust pipe.

Any thoughts, suggestions or experience of the same problem???

Thanks for any help.

I would suspect exhaust if under load, the intake is just 8 individual o-rings for sealing. I had left side cyl head off my 2000 dakota in summer of 06 and there was a fair amount of rusting going on there at the manifold, but is quiet as mouse so far w/130k.

With the 4.7, chances are the exhaust manifold studs have loosened, or even fallen out!, causing the leak, seen a few 4.7's with this problem, esp. passenger side,.....If I recall, it's a 8mm thread, 40mm long, fully threaded

i have also seen a few 4.7 exh. leaks due to broken manifold to head bolts (useually the rear most one or two on either side, most of the ones I have had were driver's side)
There was always enough of the bolt/stud left that a stud remover tool would take it out.
Manifold would have to be removed first of course.

Gary.

Yeah pretty common, fairly easy to do, the hard part is you will need a 15mm swivel to get the manifold to pipe bolts out. Usually the broken bolts in the head turn right out.

OK...so it is the lower rear bolt [broken off] on the passenger side exhaust manifold. I guess i'll need to disconnect the manifold from the exhaust pipe, remove the manifold, get the broken bolt out.

I've bought a few replacement bolts and a new gasket.

Assuming I don't run into too many issues, how long a repair should this be?

Is there a torque spec for those bolts???

Thanks again.