Driving with damaged exhaust manifold

[rollercoaster]

Hi,
2.1 WBX motor that one or two of the exhaust manifold bolts have pulled out,
the owner has been driving it hard with the exhaust blowing out between the head and manifold.
Seems that has been going on for quite some time, he had it helicoiled and all sorts but it keeps failing.
Its got a good stainless exhaust on it by the way.
I'm looking at this van and hoping to buy it,
What problems can I expect with this?
My thoughts are that it could burn the valves, and mess up the flange on the head..
It still seems to run nicely, even though it is so loud its hard to tell, and I wouldnt want to drive it.
He just took it on a drive round france like that!
Anyhow I am sure some owners have had similar problems and can share experiences.
Thanks

[123-jn]

If they are already helicoiled good luck getting those out!!! Too hard to drill usually. There is not much spare metal so you can't go deeper although you could just about go wider to 9mm perhaps. Worst case new head required.

[itchyfeet]

Chances are stainless exhaust is warped or was never welded square
worst case new head as said + head studs snap