The engine will lug terribly until it gets too around 2200RPM, and then it takes off and pulls hard. I noticed large amounts of black soot staining the manifold around the flexible accordion joint that ties the 2 sections of the exhaust manifold together between the cylinder second from the front, and the third. To verify I was indeed losing pressure from there, I disabled the GP relay and let it sit overnight and started it cold in about 55 degree air. When it finally started, sure enough, I am getting piles of smoke out of that joint. It's leaking on the backside of the flexjoint, and I cant seem to move the bolt. My question is, can that joint be replaced without removing the manifold? It seems like either clamp on the end is VERY flexible and could be removed in place, but what about the center section? Is there room to remove and replace it while installed on the car? Thanks in advance for help with this.

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1987 300SDL #1, 1987 300SDL #2, 1980 240D, 1982 300SD, 1994 S350, 1990 350SDL, 1991 350SD, 1985 300D, 2005 E320CDI

Gone, but not forgotten: 1981 300SD, 1982 300SD, 1987 300SDL, 1983 300TD, 1980 300CD, 1981 300SD #2, 1987 300D, 1987 300TDT, 1980 300D