Fixed my exhaust leak, basically for free
09-12-2005, 05:32 PM
#1
Fixed my exhaust leak, basically for free I've had a long term exhaust tick since my header/dual install. I replaced the driver's side header gasket, and found a leak on number seven, and that stopped the leak. Several days later however, I heard a fainter version of the leak.
I've read different ways to fix this, ranging from RTV to aluminium HVAC tape. This got me thinking "Why not just use aluminium foil?" So I broke out the Reynolds wrap and got to it. I would pull off about six inches at a time, fold it over twice, then wrap it around the joint, then tighten the band clamp over it. I tightened the clamps pretty good, and plan on re-tightening them in a couple of days.
I found where a couple of leaks were while I was doing it, so I know that the clamps weren't clamping the pipe good. I figure that the foil acts kinda like a gasket and also provides a slightly bigger diameter for the clamp to clamp down on, thus stretching the clamp, which is what band clamps are meant to do anyway.
We'll see how well this works in the long run.
I hope this helps anyone who is having a leak problem with band clamps.
I've read different ways to fix this, ranging from RTV to aluminium HVAC tape. This got me thinking "Why not just use aluminium foil?" So I broke out the Reynolds wrap and got to it. I would pull off about six inches at a time, fold it over twice, then wrap it around the joint, then tighten the band clamp over it. I tightened the clamps pretty good, and plan on re-tightening them in a couple of days.
I found where a couple of leaks were while I was doing it, so I know that the clamps weren't clamping the pipe good. I figure that the foil acts kinda like a gasket and also provides a slightly bigger diameter for the clamp to clamp down on, thus stretching the clamp, which is what band clamps are meant to do anyway.
We'll see how well this works in the long run.
I hope this helps anyone who is having a leak problem with band clamps.
