The cost of repairing a cracked exhaust manifold typically ranges from RM500 to RM2000, depending on the vehicle model, the repair shop's pricing, and whether original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are used. For economy cars, the material cost of the exhaust manifold is approximately RM300-RM800, and the labor cost is about RM200-RM500; for luxury or performance cars, due to the complexity of parts and material differences, the material cost may exceed RM1500. Long-term cracking of the exhaust manifold can lead to exhaust gas leakage, which may cause chain reactions such as oxygen sensor misreading (increasing fuel consumption by 15%) and damage to the catalytic converter (repair costs exceeding RM3000). After repairs, an infrared thermometer should be used to measure the exhaust temperature differential across cylinders (normal variation within ±30°C) to ensure proper sealing.