O2 sensor and exhaust manifold problems

[Mongoose]

I have just under 40,000 miles on my 2002 Tundra Limited TRD 4x4.... I've had the Rack and Pinion, fan belt, battery, and all the brakes replaced under warranty. I've been reading all of the nightmares concerning the cracked manifolds and faulty O2 sensors.

During cold mornings I have the exhaust leak sound under the hood. I brought it to a dealerships attention back when it was under warranty but they couldnt hear it. There is no doubt that i have at least one cracked manifold.

As far as the O2 sensors are concerned...... I feel like im driving a ticking time bomb.

I found this car review on another site that I believe is worth sharring. In my opinion, this guy has hit the nail on the head!

Summary:
Reviewer Ted Larson is correct in being concerned about his exhaust manifolds. This is a serious problem. It happened to me at the 36,300 mile point, and Toyota did not want to cover it under warranty (they later reconsidered, but it took a month of calling/negotiating and was very distressin and painful). THIS IS NOT A MINOR PROBLEM!!! The cost to replace themanifold is $1,000. It is obviously a design/manufacturing problem and it seems like Toyota is just trying to ignore the problem until warranties run out and it becomes the problem of the buyer to fix. Additionally, when they mess around with the manifolds they dirty up the oxygen sensors which soon fail and cost $250 to replace. On top of that, it's about a 50/50 chance that when they pull out the oxygen sensor they're going to strip the delicate aluminum manifold, and so it will have to be replaced again at a cost of $1000. This is very bad for Toyota's reputation, and they should stand behind their customers on this.

[Dude Boy]

Mine cracked too. I guess you pay your money and take your chances when buying a vehicle these days. If it's any reassurance, the manifolds are stainless steel and not aluminum as stated in your review article.

[autobus83]

I don't know where you heard the manifold is stainless but that isn't true. They are cast aluminum. I have a 2000 with 47,000 miles on it. I had my left side o2 sensor replaced a couple of months ago. Last week my right side went bad. I replaced this one my self with no problems. My friend had a o2 socket that he let me use and the sensor came right out with no problem. I ordered the new sensor from toyota $127.00 and couple of minutes of work of my own. A lot better than paying toyota $260.00 again.

[Dude Boy]

I don't know where you heard the manifold is stainless but that isn't true. They are cast aluminum. Last week my right side went bad. I replaced this one my self with no problems.

And you still think they are cast aluminum?

Below is a picture of one my new ones. Aren't yours the same?

[scdanny]

Dude, That is certainly stainless.......

[mustang67408]

I work for a dealership. The EXH manifolds are STAMPED STEEL NOT ALUMINUM.
Get a magnet--> it will stick to the manifold.
Stainless and aluminum will not stick to a magnet. The manifolds are a thinly cast stamped steel. I also think there are enough people on this website with headers, that you might be able to find some used ones cheap. They are relativley easy to change, no matter what any book says. I have installed many sets of headers & manifolds, they take about 2-3 hrs (both sides) to do on a sequoia/tundra.(if all goes well).
Just my .02
take care
Victor

[thunder gray tundra]

Ok everybody.I have the solution.Go to ebay under toyota tundras and look for headers.I have 60k on my truck.I have no problem with my manifolds,but I wanted to upgrade to headers so I did.I also removed the O2 sensors with no problem.The new headers are stainless steal and came with new bolts and gaskets.All for $150 bucks.Paid for shiping and got them in 4 days.Installed every thing my self and oh man did they sure make a difference.Better take off and torque feels great.No problem solved because I didnt have a problem,I waited for my manifolds to crack so I could have reason to buy headers,but they didnt.So I couldnt wait anymore so I bought them.Real happy with the performance.

As far for your rack&pinion,what went wrong with it?My fan belt I replaced at 30k because it would make noises in the morning.I replaced it with a dayco belt.I figured if I took it to toyota they would put a new toyota belt on it and I would have to replace it a 60k.So I just put my own belt in and it hasnt givin me no problem since.As far for your battery,well-I live in the desert and batterys dont last long here,but I still have my original battery in my truck.I just clean it every oil chang to keep the acid away from terminals.So its lasted me this long and batteries look nicer clean then dirty.Especialy If you keep your motor clean.Also if it does go out,I would get a better battery.So stop complaining,You could have bought a ford,chevy,or dodge.Then you would be really happy.Ya right.Look at all the tsb's for the other three.I dont even want to get into it.

[thunder gray tundra]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

I work for a dealership. The EXH manifolds are STAMPED STEEL NOT ALUMINUM.
Get a magnet--> it will stick to the manifold.
Stainless and aluminum will not stick to a magnet. The manifolds are a thinly cast stamped steel. I also think there are enough people on this website with headers, that you might be able to find some used ones cheap. They are relativley easy to change, no matter what any book says. I have installed many sets of headers & manifolds, they take about 2-3 hrs (both sides) to do on a sequoia/tundra.(if all goes well).
Just my .02
take care
Victor

Damb you just beat me on the reply,I wrote to much and you snuck in there before me,but you are right.

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by thunder gray tundra

Ok everybody.I have the solution.Go to ebay under toyota tundras and look for headers.I have 60k on my truck.I have no problem with my manifolds,but I wanted to upgrade to headers so I did.I also removed the O2 sensors with no problem.The new headers are stainless steal and came with new bolts and gaskets.All for $150 bucks.Paid for shiping and got them in 4 days.Installed every thing my self and oh man did they sure make a difference.Better take off and torque feels great.No problem solved because I didnt have a problem,I waited for my manifolds to crack so I could have reason to buy headers,but they didnt.So I couldnt wait anymore so I bought them.Real happy with the performance.

As far for your rack&pinion,what went wrong with it?My fan belt I replaced at 30k because it would make noises in the morning.I replaced it with a dayco belt.I figured if I took it to toyota they would put a new toyota belt on it and I would have to replace it a 60k.So I just put my own belt in and it hasnt givin me no problem since.As far for your battery,well-I live in the desert and batterys dont last long here,but I still have my original battery in my truck.I just clean it every oil chang to keep the acid away from terminals.So its lasted me this long and batteries look nicer clean then dirty.Especialy If you keep your motor clean.Also if it does go out,I would get a better battery.So stop complaining,You could have bought a ford,chevy,or dodge.Then you would be really happy.Ya right.Look at all the tsb's for the other three.I dont even want to get into it.

You are also correct- headers are the way to go.

[KLS]

Originally Posted by mustang67408

I work for a dealership. The EXH manifolds are STAMPED STEEL NOT ALUMINUM.
Get a magnet--> it will stick to the manifold.
Stainless and aluminum will not stick to a magnet. The manifolds are a thinly cast stamped steel. I also think there are enough people on this website with headers, that you might be able to find some used ones cheap. They are relativley easy to change, no matter what any book says. I have installed many sets of headers & manifolds, they take about 2-3 hrs (both sides) to do on a sequoia/tundra.(if all goes well).
Just my .02
take care
Victor

The manifolds are fabricated (welded) stainless steel. Ferritic stainless is magnetic--check any stainless knife. If they're cast they aren't stamped, and these are neither.


Ken

[mustang67408]

Originally Posted by KLS

The manifolds are fabricated (welded) stainless steel. Ferritic stainless is magnetic--check any stainless knife. If they're cast they aren't stamped, and these are neither.


Ken

I finnally got an answer on the manifolds. KEN IS CORRECT they are stainless
I STAND CORRECTED< THANX YOU FOR HELPING ME TO LEARN SOMETHING.
I went thru 3-4 people and places before i finally got a straight answer. It is also in the NEW MODEL BOOK, i never really paid attention.
THEY ARE STAINLESS AnD KEN IS THE WINNER. NUFF SAID
BUY HEADERS!!!!!!

[Hoodlm]

Any particular brand to buy on the headers?