[blackbart]

Back to the basics, I'm sure you are not the first mechanic to remove an EGR valve on that model vehicle. You can still cut the manifold if you want, using the precautions mentioned, at least disconnect the battery and keep your ground close and from going through any moving parts. However, I would think the professional way to do it is find out how the dealers do it. the tool truck may have a special socket for it. You might get lucky by googling it, it might be on utube or something.

 

[sirknucklehead]

I mig weld on vehicles either panel replacement or exhaust work on a weekly if not daily basis. Always keep the ground close to where I'm welding. I don't ever disconnect the pcm or disconnect the battery. I guess I have been lucky. I don't think plasma would be a problem if using the above mentioned precautions. I have used a die grinder cutoff tool for stuff like that. I don't have a plasma but I have a huge powerful dewalt sawsall, it goes through the blades but it gets it done. A plasma is on my wishlist though.

 

[slagd]

I think you all have missed the most important safety concern. Don't use the plasma cutter on the gas tank. Geez guys! :jester:

Won't work. My gas tank is plastic.

 

[rlitman]

My pilot arc will still go right through it, but nice try.

 

[duaneb55]

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q123R2.pdf

Just another reason not to buy Ford.

Begs the question is that just a blanket way of disallowing any and all electronic component failures? "You or someone must have welded on the vehicle. Warranty coverage denied.". :dizzy:

 

[Gamble]

The crank sensor broke off in the bell housing on my truck this week. I tried to drill it out and put a screw in it to pull it out and the screw broke. So I blew through it with my plasma cutter. She's running now!
Where would I be without these wonderful tools lol

 

[jimcolt]

My dealing with Ford is over after my issues.....and Fords lack of support....with the 6.0 diesel. Then the fact that they wouldn't give me crap for a trade in on a low mileage clean truck of their own brand towards a new one. Dodge Ram gave me a great trade on the Ford....and now I've got 800 ft. lbs of Cummins diesel pulling me around!

Jim

Just another reason not to buy Ford.

Begs the question is that just a blanket way of disallowing any and all electronic component failures? "You or someone must have welded on the vehicle. Warranty coverage denied.". :dizzy:

 

[mplieb]

I think you all have missed the most important safety concern. Don't use the plasma cutter on the gas tank. Geez guys! :jester:

Is it safe to use a plasma cutter to remove exhaust manifold nuts?

 

[Hobbytime]

Is it safe to use a plasma cutter to remove exhaust manifold nuts?

the plasma cutter throws nice hot sparks of molten metal far distances, so anything flammable close by most likley will go up in flames...with that said yes you can, but have a 2nd person with a fire extinguisher ready to go...

 

[mechanic416]

Its a lot safer then with a O/A torch

 

[Sandy]

As an observation, I've noticed plasma doesn't respect boundaries between metals as well as O/A does. If you're watching what you're doing you can split a nut off a bolt without any or much harm to the bolt. Plasma tends to cut every thing in the path of the stream. Cutting a nut off a bolt you will likely cut the heck out of the bolt and maybe even whatever is bolted up.

Everything has a place.

 

[VPT]

I cut every bolt off holding the plow mount to our last truck. I only cut into the mount/frame twice out of all the bolts with the plasma cutter.

 

[duramax-rob]

the best answer is, disconnect battery. ecm if you want to go to trouble but not ever done myself. 35 years body work in dealers, and yes, have smoked 2 dodge radios and one ecm. forgot to disconnect batteries.

 

[rlitman]

As an observation, I've noticed plasma doesn't respect boundaries between metals as well as O/A does. If you're watching what you're doing you can split a nut off a bolt without any or much harm to the bolt. Plasma tends to cut every thing in the path of the stream. Cutting a nut off a bolt you will likely cut the heck out of the bolt and maybe even whatever is bolted up.

Everything has a place.

+1

I've used O/A to burn out a broken tap using the pure oxygen stream without damaging the metal it was in at all. Can't do that with plasma, but then again, there are times where that indiscriminate behavior is an advantage too.

 

[Bonzoo]

I don't give a damn if your're changing the wiper blades or working on a window.. Disconnect the battery and clean the stuff up/reconnect when you're done.
Don't be a slacker. Check the oil, brake fluid, power steering and belts while your uglyazz is in there. That's courteous to the victim and might be appreciated. I even check the air in the tires real quick.

 

[VPT]

Disconnecting the battery is an old wives tale. If you fried something in the car you had the ground in the wrong spot.

 

[xmmancharl]

I always move, plastic bags, magazines, gas cans, to the front seat
when using my plasma cutter..

Charl

 

[John T]

. I even check the air in the tires real quick.

I usually wax the car also.
And armor all the tires




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[VPT]

Bare metal is the best place to attach your ground.

 

[pat h]

Disconnecting the battery is an old wives tale. If you fried something in the car you had the ground in the wrong spot.

But it doesn't hurt a thing and disconnect +& - any equation you can take away the better