Exhaust Leak

[flyboy_323]

Alright, I have yet another problem w/ my off road H-pipe: there is a pretty bad exhaust leak where the header meets the h-pipe on the driver's side. I've tightened the header bolts several times both while they were hot and while they were cold. Is there anything that I can do to kind of "patch" up that joint a little? I've heard that leaks are seriously detrimental to performance, is this true?

 

[WhiteDevil]

i dont really think a little exhaust leak is gonna cost you any power. Anyoing yes. Power killer no.

 

[mo_dingo]

Are you using the stock header studs?

You might want to remove the h-pipe, and check out the flange on both sides. If everything looks good, then I would remove the studs and replace them with new ones (Merle's has them usually).

I just had to clean the threads on my studs. If you decide to replace them, they are 12mm 1.75 pitch studs. You will need a 3/8 drive 15mm deep socket to remove them.
Scott

 

[95Vert]

I heard somewhere that you could use gaskets. It kind of sounds crazy, but that's what I was told.

 

[HazMat404]

nah, most gaskets are garbage. ive burned up the best of gaskets. ive solved a few problems with friend's exhaust leaks. i use a muffler paste. put a good bit around the socket connection of the hpipe and mash it up against the socket of the header. try not to move them too much and let them sit for a few hours. sets rock hard and when you start up your motor, let it run for about 5 min or so to heat up that compound so you dont blow it out. like i said, ive done it on many of cars and i do it on all my connections because i hate exhaust leaks.


an exhaust leak of any size is not good, especially by the headers. that colder air coming is is horrible for the valves because the temp change from hot to cold will cause damage over time. try and get some paste (ive used 3 different types and all of them have worked fine) and see if it works.

 

[flyboy_323]

nah, most gaskets are garbage. ive burned up the best of gaskets. ive solved a few problems with friend's exhaust leaks. i use a muffler paste. put a good bit around the socket connection of the hpipe and mash it up against the socket of the header. try not to move them too much and let them sit for a few hours. sets rock hard and when you start up your motor, let it run for about 5 min or so to heat up that compound so you dont blow it out. like i said, ive done it on many of cars and i do it on all my connections because i hate exhaust leaks.


an exhaust leak of any size is not good, especially by the headers. that colder air coming is is horrible for the valves because the temp change from hot to cold will cause damage over time. try and get some paste (ive used 3 different types and all of them have worked fine) and see if it works.

Thanks a lot for the tip, HazMat404, can I find muffler paste at a place like kragens? I have to put my stock h-pipe on every 2 years for smog, will It be really hard to get the h-pipe off with the paste?

 

[HazMat404]

any auto parts store should have some sort. a place might recommend one over another but i got turned on it about a year ago from a mechanic and he was like "i wish i could use this on the cars i work on but it looks a lil sloppy....i use it on all my cars". i was sold right there.


after it is hard, you just need to put a little bit of lateral pressure to it and it will pop right off (just push or pull the pipe up or down after the bolts are a lil loose) and they will come off. it wont work for everyone but it has helped a bunch of my friends with leaks