Exhaust manifold torque specs

[89VWdieselGolf]

i bought new gaskets for my 1.6 N/A diesel because of an exhaust leak...what should i torque them to?

thanks, Jeff

[racer_x]

According to Bentley:

Exhaust manifold to cylinder head . . . . . . . . 25 NM (18 ft. lb.)

[89VWdieselGolf]

perfect! thanks

[TurboJ]

Yes, this is an ancient thread, but the question is very valid.

I just fit my exhaust manifold today, and 25 Nm feels incredibly  little.

I have OE copper nuts, and at 25 Nm it feels like they're barely on.

People: what are your experiences and suggestions?

I have a bigger than standard turbo there too, along with a separate waste gate, which adds a lot of extra weight to be supported bu those little copper nuts...

[745 turbogreasel]

Add a brace from elsewhere, or face broken studs.
I've never had a backing out problem with the OE fasteners @18lb.
Just make sure the threads are nice n clean first.

[theman53]

I honestly never torqued mine. I feel bad, like I should be over on the hillbilly forum saying this. I just use my 1/4" drive rachet and get them tight. It is an 8mm stud so it will take more than 18ft/lbs, but it is in an aluminum head. Hope all goes well for you.

[libbydiesel]

I always torque to 18 ft lbs with the proper nuts and the proper extra-thick washers, but add a triangulating brake to the block with any custom turbo install. 

[TurboJ]

OK, thanks, guys!  The 25 Nm just seemed like the nuts would almost fall off...

My plan was from the beginning to build some serious braces for the manifold, turbo, DP and wastegate.

I guess I should be fine then.

And yes, I am using the T2 Transporter Diesel thick washers.

[libbydiesel]

I would also mention that you don't want to over-brace the exhaust either.  Doing so can lead to stress cracks from expansion/contraction from heat cycles. 

[TurboJ]

I will be using ball joints in every mounting point of the braces.

[gldgti]

I honestly never torqued mine. I feel bad, like I should be over on the hillbilly forum saying this. I just use my 1/4" drive rachet and get them tight. It is an 8mm stud so it will take more than 18ft/lbs, but it is in an aluminum head. Hope all goes well for you.

Thats what I usually do aswell :-)

I thought this WAS the hillbilly forum?

[theman53]

Nope, the hillbilly forum has a few cross overs here. I am probably just a fuzz more refined than the average hillbilly, but the other diesel forum is full of them. I would go into detail but there are too many here and some may get internet hurt.

[DanV990]

... I just use my 1/4" drive rachet and get them tight. It is an 8mm stud so it will take more than 18ft/lbs, but it is in an aluminum head...

I did the same thing. I put an engine from a NA MKI 1983 Rabbit in my 1992 ECOdiesel in August and I just used a 1/4 ratchet and tightened the exhaust manifold bolts until I felt they were just gutentight. They've been good (no leaks, loose bolts, or broken studs) for the last 3,400 miles.