While doing a little cleaning in the engine bay I noticed that one of the heater hoses was flopping around a bit. A quick survey from the drivers side revealed a loose support clamp over on the passenger side. A better look from the passenger side showed that the clamp apparently is held in place at the rear most exhaust manifold bolt.

The heater hose clamp was hanging loose because the exhaust manifold bolt was missing! An assortment of bolts from the cultch box were routed through the manifold but none matched the threaded hole in the block. Finally it occured to me that perhaps the old bolt had sheared off in the block.

A wire run into the hole in the manifold confirmed that something solid appeared to be flush with the block.

The good news is this confirms my suspicion that the few minutes of rapping when the car starts up was an exhaust leak. I don't think I am going to attempt to get the broken bolt (stud?) out myself.

Will the manifolds need to be removed to extract the broken fastener?

Thanks,

Joe M in WV