Hello NPORA!
I recently picked up a 1994 Pathfinder v6 with an awful exhaust leak at the manifold on the passenger side. I pulled off the heat shield to find the stud closest to the firewall missing. After trying to thread in a new bolt it is also obvious that the threads have been pulled out of the head too. Running the Pathfinder is quite loud, and I have confirmed from feeling around with the engine running that the leak is where this stud is missing.
So onto my question: Is it ok to continue to drive like this? I understand it is not ideal, and the noise bothers me, but I just bought the Pathfinder and was hoping to be able to enjoy it a little. Also not really looking forward to retapping threads in a tight clearance area, as well as probably breaking more studs trying to remove the manifold. But will driving it end up burning an exhaust valve, or causing any other damage? The previous owner drove it around like this for many years it sounds like, and the truck doesn't have any running symptoms that would indicate a burnt valve at this point.
