Engine Soot and Dash Rattle

Long time lurker, first time poster:

New to me 2006 4.7 DC 4x2 w/ 210,000 on the clock. Not the most mechanically experienced but I’m trying to get better, have a few questions.

Pretty sure I have the exhaust manifold leak/crack issue. Any others out there that have experienced this, did it make the engine bay appear covered in soot? Especially heavier towards the bottom near where the manifolds are, but seems like a light dusting made it even to the top. It’s not wet or anything so not a current oil leak I don’t believe.

Also, I have a pretty insane dash rattle going on, at any speed over 50mph, gets worse the faster I go. Sounds like hail hitting my windshield, coming more from the drivers side. Took off instrument panel and couldn’t find anything loose, holding down on different parts of the dash while going doesn’t seem to do anything. Driving me nuts. Any experience with this or ideas?

Thanks and I’m excited to join the community!

 

There’s several threads on the forum in regards to the windshield/dash rattle, sounds like the same issue that I had. As mentioned in the threads I purchased some 3/8” round foam insulation from Lowes and stuffed it down in between the windshield and the dash using a putty knife, you can probably use anything flat to do it with. This took care of the rattle but I had to do it 2x. Hope that helps.

 

Haven’t heard of manifold cracks in later years.

Dash stuff: https://www.tundras.com/threads/dash-squeak-diagnosis.93688/