Technical exhaust manifold

[bazzo]

i have an 04 fiat stilo 1.4 16v 5 door.
think something has gone wrong with the left side exhaust manifold or the gasket, all of a sudden tonight itts sounds as if no exhaust is connected from under the bonnet.
i am by no means a mechanic but i can handle looking at an exhaust manifold and either replacing that or the gasket, i just want to know how easy is it to get to the manifold and the best way to do so, i cant look now as its too dark.
thanks

 

[Yellow Peril]

A failing manifold is unusual. More likely to be failure of the flexible joint just after the manifold/CAT, where the exhaust pipe proper starts. Unfotunately you cannot buy the flexi seperately, but there is an easy and cheap fix - ask an independent garage to cut and weld in an aftermarket flexi-joint