WTF header leak wont stop...

[Foxfan88]

ok i thought i fixed it, after leaks with the standard fel pro stock gaskets, i got a set of ultra seal mr gaskets and the damn think still ticks. its not all out LEAKING like it was but there is still a small small leak.

cant really hear it once your driving. the flanges arent bent, because they never leaked and then all of a sudden they leak and wont stop....

anyone have problems with small leaks all the time??

 

[stang8urimport]

Either a bent flange, or you left gasket matieral on the header/head.

 

[Foxfan88]

lol i think there is some left over material damnit

oh well i will change it sometime...

 

[RsStanG1987]

Did you take them off while hot?

 

[Foxfan88]

they were warm, not hot. wanst hot enough where they would warp, at least i think they wouldnt.

 

[88_GT_5_oh]

i stopped using header gaskets on my turbo mustnag cause i kept blowing them out. i only use copper rtv sealant. works like a charm

 

[795.0pacecar]

Smear alittle red RTV on the gaskets. Thats what I do.

 

[jstang209]

u sure its comming from the header and not the flange where it meet mr H pipe?

 

[95conv5.0]

check the flange for being bent or warped if to take it to a machine shop they will starighten it out for ya! or deck it for trueness

 

[Foxfan88]

u sure its comming from the header and not the flange where it meet mr H pipe?

its not, i havent messed with them and i used a rubber tube to listen, once the tuge was over the tube right near the head you could hear the leak..

they are small leaks and cant hear them under normal driving.... maybe it seems like its big bc the last week i have been battling a bad leak and have the clicking noises stuck in my head, so even the quietest one will get my attention.

but as long as it stays where its at i can live with it. its only noticable at idle and its quiet otherwise...

 

[Roland69]

I think mine leaks a little but I live with it....untill I get a whole new exhaust system.

 

[bynummustang]

Hey foxfan, what do you use to get the header bolts off? On each primary, the bolt closer to the front of the car is easy, but the other bolt for that primary is a PITA. Do I need a flex joint socket, or what?

 

[Roland69]

get your self a good set of flex sockets...might be a little $$$$ but worth every penny

 

[bynummustang]

I thought the header was dented enough, but oh well, tomorrow I get to buy more PB blaster and a 3/8 or 10mm flex/universal socket.

 

[Foxfan88]

Hey foxfan, what do you use to get the header bolts off? On each primary, the bolt closer to the front of the car is easy, but the other bolt for that primary is a PITA. Do I need a flex joint socket, or what?

i just use an 11mm small wrench.

the rear-most bolt on the passenger side used to be a pain with the old smog tubes in place. since they are gone its easy to reach that bolt.

i think it also depends on the quality of the headers. My old flowtechs were much harder to work with, no dents in the tube near the bolts. you couldnt get any sort of socket on them. With my BBKs you can get a socket on probably 80% of the bolts.

i just use 1 wrench to do mine. if i had a stubbie wrench it would make it easier...

also if you have stock header bolts. i think they are a bigger head. Get some small head bolts from ARP or something. they are easier to work with and should be stronger.

 

[2000xp8]

I had a crappy ass set of Mac headers, that leaked where all the pipes met at the flange.

Only way to tell, was to take the whole thing off, hold it up in the light, and you could see through it backwards, it was all cracked.

 

[RyanSG]

i stopped using header gaskets on my turbo mustnag cause i kept blowing them out. i only use copper rtv sealant. works like a charm

A men to the copper rtv... same thing happend to me so thats all i use anymore! Also to conferm my local dyno has a 2400rwhp twin 91mm turbo prob on the dyno.... and guess what they had used all over the wastgate flanges and headers.... they even use it on all the intake stuff as well... From now on thats the only gasket maker goin on my car....

 

[Vinnietbird]

If your header flange is one piece,you can cut the flange between each tube and then they can often seal better.Just an idea.