Here's the temporary patch job until I can have the time to really tear into this thing to get than new flex in:



Permatex Ultra copper high-temp exhaust RTV. We'll see how long it lasts (I'm not expecting long -- I just saw the tube late one night and decided to give it a shot!)

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RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.

My first flex in the 87 was cracked as well, I took it off and welded it, worked until I was able to source a replacement.

Oh, I have the replacement in the trunk...but I just haven't gotten the time or motivation to tackle removing that manifold/turbo/etc/etc needed to get at it!

The fix seems to have held after a 300 mile drive up to Seattle on I-5. I haven't actually looked, though, I just don't hear a leak yet.

__________________
RenaissanceMan Labs: where the future is being made today.

Garage:

2017 Chevy Colorado Diesel (nanny state emissions)
2005 Volvo S40 T5 AWD, 77k
1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D turbodiesel, 4 sp auto, 156k - 28.7 mpg
1996 Tracker 4x4, 2 door, 16v, 3 sp auto. 113k - 28.6 mpg

WARNING: this post may contain dangerous free thinking.