Exhaust leak in exhaust manifold

Hey guys. I have an exhaust leak in my drivers side exhaust manifold. Now I know why I have an intermittent p0138 code. Its probably kinda small. I’d like to fix it but Toyota wants $1,344 for the part. I live in California. Does anyone have a suggestion for an after market alternative? I hear you can use aftermarket if you mail the part to a friend out of state if you live in California. Thanks!

 

Where is the leak? Is the manifold cracked?

 

Visually I can’t see any crack in it. The tech put the stethoscope to it and could hear a leak.

 

Is it possible he was just hearing the taco tick from the valve train through the head?

 

Maybe. He was a pretty experienced guy. He seemed to know about the notorious tick. I definitely don’t see a crack from the top. I can hear a quick hiss when I punch it. They replaced my tailpipe at the muffler because there were leaks there and now it’s louder somehow

 

Probably a new exhaust manifold gasket would fix. If it is cracked you MIGHT be able to get someone to weld it up and resurface it if its on the sealing face.

Unfortunately here in CA because the primary cat is part of the exhaust manifold you are stuck with CARB approved OEM toyota manifolds or like one manufacture who makes a CARB approved aftermarket option if you want to pass visual check during a SMOG check.

 

Do you know any of the aftermarket makers that would pass? Thanks!