is it the zorst gasket or has the manifold cracked?

[SRlew]

not mine but my brothers XR2.
got an ashley 4-2-1 manifold, with the top half heat wrapped.
sounds like its just got worse in like minutes, and is the usual loudness lol

if its the gasket would i be able to hold/push a cloth around the gasket area? and would i notice a difference if it is that?

also do the manifolds crack on joints, as there are 2 joints under the heat wrap, were they go into 2.

heres some pics.
any help or ways of telling what it is aprieciated

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/srlew/01052007292.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/srlew/01052007291.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y217/srlew/01052007290.jpg

cheers, lew

[Adam]

Probably cracked, being heatwrapped wont have helped it.

Just make sure the nuts are done-up tight, if that dont help.

Probably cracked.

[SRlew]

lol yeh i thought that about the wrap to

dont think it will be the nuts as its been on a while, but will check any way.

before any one says take it off, cant realy as he needs it to get to work and theres no point taking it off to find out he needs a new one so will have to wait to order one etc and he wont be able to use the car etc etc

[Pigeonrat9]

I bought an Ashley manifold a few weeks ago and was specifically told not to wrap it, as it will crack. Mind you, it replaced an awful Sportex one which had cracked without the wrap, so it could be worse!

[SRlew]

lol right turns out it is a crack lol

iv wrapped my ashley manifold on mine, but im not to worried tbh as it doesnt cover any joins, where as my brothers did and his has gone on a join.

[Adam]

Just get someone weld the crack up,Lol.

[SRlew]

lol i am yeh, getting it done tomorrow. so just taking it off now. shud last with it welded shouldnt it? and without the heat wrap lol

[SRlew]

ad its completely snapped off, you recon it'll still be ok to weld back together (1 pipe that has snapped)