What are the signs of a leaking exhaust manifold on a boat?

Signs include ticking noises at startup, exhaust fumes in the engine bay, rust streaks, or engine misfires. A leaking manifold can cause engine damage – we test and reseal or replace as needed.

Can a bad exhaust manifold cause overheating or loss of power?

Yes. Corrosion inside a manifold or riser restricts the cooling water and exhaust flow, which can cause overheating, power loss and, in bad cases, warped cylinder heads. We find the restriction and replace the parts that are blocked or cracked, with a written estimate first.

Do you replace both the exhaust manifold and riser/elbow?

We always inspect the full exhaust system, including manifolds, risers, gaskets, and hardware. If one part is failing, the other often is too. We recommend complete kits to avoid repeat repairs.

How much does exhaust manifold repair or replacement cost?

Labor is $150 an hour, plus parts and the trip fee for work at your boat. Replacing manifolds and risers usually takes 4-8 hours, and the parts depend on your engine. We inspect first and give you a written estimate before any work starts.

Can you repair saltwater-corroded exhaust manifolds?

A corroded manifold is usually replaced rather than repaired, because the rust is inside the water passages of the casting. We take it off and inspect it: if the casting and passages are sound, cleaning and new gaskets can be enough; if not, we quote a replacement.

Is it safe to run my engine with a leaking exhaust manifold?

No. A leaking manifold or riser can let exhaust, including carbon monoxide, into the boat, or water into the cylinders, which can ruin the engine. Don't run it until it has been checked. We inspect it and give you a written estimate; once you OK it, we schedule the repair as soon as the parts are in.

Do you service MerCruiser and Volvo Penta exhaust systems?

Yes. We repair and replace exhaust manifolds, risers and elbows on MerCruiser, Volvo Penta, Crusader and other inboard and sterndrive engines, using the maker's parts or quality aftermarket kits with stainless hardware. The parts are listed on your written estimate.

Exhaust Manifold Repair Restore Optimal Engine Performance and Prevent Leaks

Exhaust Manifold Repair Restore Optimal Engine Performance and Prevent Leaks (2)

Exhaust Manifold Repair for Efficient Marine Engine Performance

Marine exhaust manifold repair for inboard and sterndrive engines, at your slip, dock or storage yard from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or at our San Pedro shop. We check manifolds, risers, elbows and gaskets as one system, since they wear together in salt water, and quote parts with the job.

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$150 /hr

Labor estimate Usually 4–8 hours

Book sends us a ticket; nothing is charged online. Before any work you get a written estimate for labor, parts and the trip fee, and nothing is done without your OK.

Trip fee By distance, one way: $30 in San Pedro, $50 in Long Beach

San Pedro$30
Wilmington, Terminal Island$40
Long Beach: Shoreline, Rainbow Harbor$50
Long Beach Marina, Alamitos Bay$60
Redondo Beach$60
Seal Beach, Huntington Harbour$75
Marina del Rey$85
Newport Beach$110

Farther away: $25 plus $2.50 a mile, one way from our San Pedro shop. No trip fee when the boat comes to our shop, or for plan members. The work of a visit is at least $150; the trip fee is on top.

Registered in California: Breeze Marine Boat Service LLC, San Pedro
Where we work: At your slip from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or in our San Pedro shop
Questions first: (213) 693-0224 or submit a ticket

About this service

Marine Exhaust Manifold Repair in Long Beach and San Pedro

A corroded exhaust manifold can let water into an inboard or sterndrive engine. We find the leak and repair or replace the manifolds, risers, elbows and gaskets at your slip, dock or storage yard from Marina del Rey to Newport Beach, or at our San Pedro shop.

What the work covers

The manifold feeds a riser and an elbow, where cooling water mixes into the hot exhaust before it leaves the boat. Salt water corrodes their water passages out of sight, and the parts wear together, so we check the manifold, riser, elbow and gaskets as one system.

Inspection: we look for rust streaks, weeping joints, cracks and hot spots, then take the risers off to see the passages and gaskets.
Water check: on gasoline engines we pull the spark plugs to look for water. Water left in the cylinders rusts rings and valves and can lead to an inboard engine rebuild.
Repair: new gaskets and clean passages fix some leaks. We replace cracked or corroded manifolds, and worn risers and elbows get exhaust riser and elbow replacement. Parts are quoted with the job.
Flappers: worn flappers or shutters, which help keep water from running back, get exhaust flapper and shutter service.
Test: we run the engine, check each joint for leaks and watch the temperature as it warms up.

Signs of a manifold problem

Rust streaks, soot or water weeping at the joints
Rising engine temperature
A rough idle right after a start
An exhaust smell in the engine compartment
Burnt paint or a hot spot on a manifold or riser

Questions about exhaust manifold repair

Should both manifolds be replaced at the same time?

Often, yes. On V6 and V8 engines both sides are the same age and see the same water, so when one fails the other is often close behind. We show you what we find before you decide.

Why are new gaskets part of every job?

Most engine makers call for new gaskets whenever the risers or manifolds come off, since a used gasket may not seal again. On some engines the gasket also sets how much water reaches the riser.

Book a visit: submit a ticket with the boat, the engine, where it is kept and what you are seeing, or call (213) 693-0224.