Exhaust Leak?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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Exhaust Leak?
Hi All,
Just did Cat back on my 1989, and I've done this a few times in the past 20 years of course, but I think I might hear a small leak now?
It's a walker that I put on there, and has the 3 parts - intermediate pipe off the cat flange & Hanger, and into muffler, and then 3rd is tail pipe...
My question is, is there an easy way to figure out if I have a leak?
sounds like there is some "tin tin" noises on there there, but that maybe is just the new system seating?
Thanks all!
Just did Cat back on my 1989, and I've done this a few times in the past 20 years of course, but I think I might hear a small leak now?
It's a walker that I put on there, and has the 3 parts - intermediate pipe off the cat flange & Hanger, and into muffler, and then 3rd is tail pipe...
My question is, is there an easy way to figure out if I have a leak?
sounds like there is some "tin tin" noises on there there, but that maybe is just the new system seating?
Thanks all!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
put the rig up on jack stands so it can't fall or move.
start it up cold and block gas pedal to 2k rpm.
use back of hand or feather around exhaust pipe joints starting at front ones first, they heat up first. look and feel for air movement.
will probably be the one directly in front of muffler or the flat flange gasket on the flex pipe joint.
start it up cold and block gas pedal to 2k rpm.
use back of hand or feather around exhaust pipe joints starting at front ones first, they heat up first. look and feel for air movement.
will probably be the one directly in front of muffler or the flat flange gasket on the flex pipe joint.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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Ok, thanks for that info - was thinking a talcum powder type thing... but here is another question - how far in should the pipe go into the inlet of the muffler? - it was a little bit of a downward angle when I tightened up everything at the main flange joint, so it would only go in about 1 inch or so - I put the clamp right on the end, so it is grabbing it nicely, but does it need to be in farther than an inch, or as long as it's in, it's in?
BTW - this system has no flex pipe - it's all solid piping.
BTW - this system has no flex pipe - it's all solid piping.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,432
Likes: 7
Well, those systems are intended to be welded, not clamped, unless you use a band clamp, or a lap clamp, the chances of leaks are fairly high. Getting more overlap helps prevent the leaks and reduces the amount of potential movement.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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Hi All,
Ok, I found the leak - it's not at anywhere the new pipes join the muffler, it's at the Cat and intermediate pipe junction... but I'm already using a walker gasket there... but that is where the leak is...
here is my new question - what would the best way be for me to seal that leak? I have some of that putty stuff for exhaust leaks, but I'd rather get or make a new gasket there - can I use RTV sealant there, or do they make one specifically for high heat/exhaust sealant? - the gasket itself is a metalish one, you can bent it, etc.
I think what has happened is that the ends of each flange where it bolts together, are closer to each other than the middle of the flange is... I don't want to weld it there, since this is an access point for me to do cat back, which seems like something I have to do every 3 years with our lovely new england winters, etc...
So, any advice on how to solve a leak there, where the two flanges bolt together? does fel pro make a nice thick gasket for exhaust?
Thanks
Ok, I found the leak - it's not at anywhere the new pipes join the muffler, it's at the Cat and intermediate pipe junction... but I'm already using a walker gasket there... but that is where the leak is...
here is my new question - what would the best way be for me to seal that leak? I have some of that putty stuff for exhaust leaks, but I'd rather get or make a new gasket there - can I use RTV sealant there, or do they make one specifically for high heat/exhaust sealant? - the gasket itself is a metalish one, you can bent it, etc.
I think what has happened is that the ends of each flange where it bolts together, are closer to each other than the middle of the flange is... I don't want to weld it there, since this is an access point for me to do cat back, which seems like something I have to do every 3 years with our lovely new england winters, etc...
So, any advice on how to solve a leak there, where the two flanges bolt together? does fel pro make a nice thick gasket for exhaust?
Thanks
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Alabama
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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Hi All...
BTW, first Neilt, thanks for that info - I might do it that way, but in the meantime...
I think I know why the new gasket I have on there is not working - Fel Pro lists 2 part numbers, and one for 5/89 or later, and the other for 5/89 or earlier, and they look different.
So, I have 2 questions - 1) how can I tell by the VIN when it was made? - and 2) does anyone have an 89, and can vouch for the fact that the wrong gasket will not work? - I hate to spend another $10, and my time to replace the new one if that's not gonna fix her up... but if so, great, because it's already pre-cut to what I needed, instead of going the MR Gasket route...
Thanks to all... I'm getting there!
BTW, first Neilt, thanks for that info - I might do it that way, but in the meantime...
I think I know why the new gasket I have on there is not working - Fel Pro lists 2 part numbers, and one for 5/89 or later, and the other for 5/89 or earlier, and they look different.
So, I have 2 questions - 1) how can I tell by the VIN when it was made? - and 2) does anyone have an 89, and can vouch for the fact that the wrong gasket will not work? - I hate to spend another $10, and my time to replace the new one if that's not gonna fix her up... but if so, great, because it's already pre-cut to what I needed, instead of going the MR Gasket route...
Thanks to all... I'm getting there!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
also, wire brush and use a large flat file to clean up, smooth and flatten the steel exhaust surfaces the gasket is compressed against.
hate those flat flange seals, never work for long especially on rough logging roads and with salt corrosion
hate those flat flange seals, never work for long especially on rough logging roads and with salt corrosion
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