Exhaust Leak on 01 GT

[tylerdred]

I have a noticeable exhaust leak after installing a mustangtuning off road x pipe. The exhaust leak is close to the headers. There is a compression joint on the passenger side and a ball joint on the driver side. I was just wondering what the best way would be to seal these leaks? It seems they dont sell gaskets for the ball joint. Also, I can tell I am running very rich because I am getting A LOT of soot buildup in my tailpipes and am getting horrible gas mileage. Could the exhaust leak cause this rich condition because less gas is reaching the front O2 sensors and thus making the computer think I am running lean so as to dump more gas and run rich??? I am NOT running a check engine light after installing a pair of used MIL eliminators for those of you that may ask. I've got an 01 auto GT with the only mods being the x pipe and a borla stinger catback.

PS Even running pig rich, the car takes off like a bat out of hell!!!

 

[Mirrahasmycar]

The easiest way is to get a smaller ball joint and put high temp silicon around it, my bassani X pipe came with one and it doesn't leak, the reason it leaks is there is a small size difference, another possible solution is to get some aftermarket headers

 

[D'SDOUBLEOGT]

The only thing I can tell you is how I fixed my pipe from leaking and hopefully this helps you. First I removed the stock (2) studs from the drivers side manifold. Cut the spacers off with a dremel tool (so the compression could actually seal instead of the clamp bottoming out on the spacer). Second when I install the pipe I tighten the passenger side first while (drivers side is bolted loosely) I raise and lower the back of the pipe. This lets the pipe tighten up easier. I had to really tighten the passenger and driver’s side tight to get a good seal. After this then I went and tightened the driver’s side. Hope this helps.

 

[topless98gt]

The easiest way is to get a smaller ball joint and put high temp silicon around it, my bassani X pipe came with one and it doesn't leak, the reason it leaks is there is a small size difference, another possible solution is to get some aftermarket headers

I forgot to put that brown stuff on my ball joints...will it hurt my x pipe?