Has anyone patched a cracked exhaust manifold on their Jeep in Abu Dhabi?
I've got a 2014 Wrangler with that infamous ticking noise that gets louder when the engine is cold, and after doing some research I'm pretty sure it's a cracked exhaust manifold – common problem on the 3.6. I've called a few places in Mussafah and most of them want to replace the whole manifold plus labor for around 2,500 AED, but I've heard that sometimes you can just weld the crack if it's not too bad. A buddy mentioned that there are Jeep Exhaust Repair Experts Abu Dhabi who can do proper welding and even machine the flange flat if needed, instead of just selling you new parts. Has anyone gone the repair route instead of replacement? How long did the weld last? And can you recommend a shop that actually knows how to work on these cast iron manifolds without breaking the studs? I don't mind paying for quality work, but I'd rather not drop a huge chunk of change if a good weld can get me another few years. Appreciate any advice from folks who've been through this. Cheers.