Hi all,

After a few ideas to get my exhaust to seal.

It was blowing from the Exhaust manifolds to inlet pipe on the passenger side.
I got a set of new donut gaskets and put them in, but couldn't get it to seal.

I have just had a new stainless exhaust fitted, and the exhaust shop can't get it to seal either. In the end they gave up and told me they didn't want to break anything.

They have used some silicone to try and seal around another new donut, but it is still blowing.

What else can I try?!

 

Silicone never works(for long).

How do the manifolds look? Is the surface smooth and clean? If it has been leaking much it will corrode/get rough and no matter what gasket you put in, it will leak. Not sure if you remove the studs and get in there with an air motor and sanding rolls to smooth the surface. Just have to watch as you remove too much it might not clamp on the ring enough to seal.

Make sure it is not coming between manifold and head. That is a very common issue.

 

What's the best way to track down the leak, I am doing it by ear at the moment.

(and the soot on the first new gasket where it has been blowing).

 

Not an authority, appears U'r using the stock manifold and it would seem to me a quality muffler should be able to mold a section of exhaust pipe that would not only provide clearance for the starter but also over or below the cross-member. Also check the engine mounts for wear?

Found clearance is usually an issue when headers are installed, primarily on the passenger side due to starter and cross-member. A significant bump can possibly develop a crack where the exhaust pipe joins the manifold if clearance is limited?

Anyhow food for thought?

 

Sounds like it is that round gasket. Carefully put your hand around that area and feel for the blowing air while idling. Do it quickly when engine is cold. After it is hot you can burn yourself if you get too up close and personal with your hand.

Also check around each port of the head. Like I mentioned it is typical that they start to leak over time also.

Might want to drop it down(after it cools) and inspect the surface where that ring touches. If it is rusty/rough then it likely won't seal well. If you have new studs installed you might be able to snug it down enough to seal it up after it warms up a touch. Then snug it again when its cool. Then when it heats up it will compress the gasket and hopefully force it to seal better as the metal expands.