Exhaust Leak

[burkem]

So I've been chasing a couple exhaust leaks for some time now. I finally got access to a lift today and found a couple leaking connections. Its leaking where the headers meet the midpipe and where the over axles meet the axlebacks. Howe could i fix these? The clamps are as tight as they're gonna get. Also, the tips are way off center with the bumper and i have tried a few times and haven't been able to line them up. Any advice?

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[burkem]

Did I get moved to Tech? Ive been terrified to post anything in tech so I always just used Chit Chat.

 

[Paps]

I got the same pb, i put some silicon rtv sealant and working fine now

 

[Doug M]

ohh noozz, tech..lol. good luck man.

 

[Viperrmk]

I use some of this for my axle backs. http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_muffler-&-tailpipe-sealer-permatex_7020007-p?navigationPath=L1*14932%7CL2*14983Pull off your axle backs and put this stuff around the pipe where is connects, put it on and let it set for a while.

 

[burkem]

Ive used that stuff before actually. The problem is it hardens when it dries, then it just cracks right off. I got some copper rtv exhaust gasket stuff that my friend swears by. I just need to adjust the tips and put a layer of this stuff on tomorrow. That is the plan at least. Ill update the thread when Im done.

 

[JeremyH]

Copper rtv works great.

 

[86GT351]

Copper rtv works great.

Yes it does!

 

[ross0616]

^^^Agreed^^^ It's hard to get an aftermarket exhaust that doesn't leak somewhere. I always use copper rtv seems to work the best.

 

[86GT351]

I can also suggest that with the band straps loosen them and move them closer to the end of the connection. They are soft enough to mold around that little nipple! Have done this myself in the past!

 

[mikeyfitz]

Copper RTV >

 

[BruceH]

Center the tips by adjusting the hangers. Use a pipe or cheater bar to bend them.

 

[Fantas]

Copper RTV >

^This

I used it on every connection and it works great.

 

[burkem]

The copper RTV worked great but I still have a slight leak on top of the pipe where I couldnt see what I was doing. I will fool with it next time the car is in the air. I was able to like up the drivers side tip perfectly but the pass side just didnt wanna cooperate. I even tried bending the hanger but I was afraid of breaking the weld.

 

[Jeffk]

I usually align the tips by loosening and rotating the over axle pipe.

Good tip on the copper RTV though. Filing that one away.

 

[TexasBlownV8]

The U clamp at the header was a bad idea. Those don't seal good as it is, and the U distorts the pipe. You wont get those apart easily, if at all. Better would have been to use band clamps like on the mufflers.

Speaking of mufflers: the clamps are too far from the end of the pipe, and as such, cannot be tightened tight enough for a seal. The alignment 'nubs' are in the way and need to be 'handled', sure, but you really want the clamps to be at the edge of the pipes. That'll get you a tighter seal and keep the mufflers from moving.

 

[burkem]

The U clamps came off just fine when I went to add the copper RTV. When I reattached the axle backs, I put the band clamps as close to the nubs as I could. Do people cut those off to get a better seal or what?

 

[michael.konor]

The U clamps came off just fine when I went to add the copper RTV. When I reattached the axle backs, I put the band clamps as close to the nubs as I could. Do people cut those off to get a better seal or what?

I drilled a hole in my band clamp and deburred it as my solution. Been working fine through three sets of mufflers and daily driving. Just have to make sure you drill it in the right spot so that you can get to the nut.