Exhaust Leak From Band Clamps
#1
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Exhaust Leak From Band Clamps
Search is currently down and I cant find anything for my problem. I have TSP duals on my ta coming of of XS headers. At the point where the pipes connect to the X there is a major leak from the band clamps. The X is almost compleatly black especially on the inside. I have the wide clamps that are smaller for the insert pipe and larger for the pipe that recieves the pipe. All of the other clamps are holding tight w/o leaks and all bolts have been tightened and retightened since install. Does anyone have any ideas of what I could do to seal it a little better? Is there anything I can put under the clamps to stop the leaks? Thanks a lot in advance
#4
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The bolts look even but I never really looked that closly so Ill have to go check that. Ive seen things like tiger wrap and other exhaust wraps, but they all melt with the exhaust heat to adhear to the pipes/muffler/whatever your using it on. I wanted something I can just take off easily when I remove the pipes. Ive heard of some people putting aluminum foil on and wrapping it a couple of times then putting the clamp on over that and cutting off the excess. It sounds kind of like a home remedy and I wouldnt be to fond of doing it unless someone can vouch that it will work and wont mess things up. I think welding might end up being the route I take if I cant find anything else because the tick that the leak makes has grown to be very loud and annoying. Anyone else w/ any ideas let me know.
#5
Launching!
iTrader: (11)
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Maryville, IL
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
band clamps are the suck they will always leak where you bolt them, i used some of that exhaust wrap stuff that fixes leaks, wrapped it around the pipes and put the band clamp over it and tightened it down as much as i could, let the car run for a little while so they would seal and cure..no leaks.
Trending Topics
#11
TECH Resident
Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Central PA
Posts: 886
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I didnt really want to get it welded yet because I am probably going to lower the car in the future and get a pipe that will make it so it doesnt bang on the drivers side floor board. It will change the whole geometry of it so Id like ot just leave the clamps on for now. Will those two wraps definitely hold up to the heat coming out of the exhaust?
#12
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles, Ca
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have the exact same problem. It is absolutely annoying! I tried the aluminum tape wrap method and it doesn't work that well. It works for a few days, then eventually the heat detoriates it. I'm saving up now to have my true duals redone with flanges on the header and x pipe. Trust me, this is the way to go.
Band clamps ftl!
Band clamps ftl!
#13
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Vancouver,[KITSILANO].B.C. Canada *WestCoast*
Posts: 8,807
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by DropTopBird
I didnt really want to get it welded yet because I am probably going to lower the car in the future and get a pipe that will make it so it doesnt bang on the drivers side floor board. It will change the whole geometry of it so Id like ot just leave the clamps on for now. Will those two wraps definitely hold up to the heat coming out of the exhaust?
#14
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: WestTexas
Posts: 4,274
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by waldershrek
This is exactly why I hate clamps and weld everything exhaust related
#15
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
I havent had issues with bandclamps either. Yeah, you could weld it all up and it wouldnt leak, but then you'd never get them to slide off the headers, let alone get it back on if you somehow managed to pry them off. And adjusting the setup later on, yeah, you can forget about that too.
I like how I can crawl under the car, loosen a few bolts, and pull the entire setup out in mins. That's my .02
I like how I can crawl under the car, loosen a few bolts, and pull the entire setup out in mins. That's my .02
#16
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
I agree with Brian, it's nice to be able to remove or adjust your system easily. I had my headers and y-pipe installed, and they used some type of gooey black crap on the joints, underneath the band clamps. When I pulled the y-pipe and put the correct one up, I just used the clamps and really tightened them down well. If this doesn't do it, I would use some foil. I can't see how it would deteriorate unless there was a really big gap.
#17
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
Are the pipes lined up well? Are they slip fit or butt style? Slip fit is tend to leak less.
I usually coat the inside of the band clamps with a thin layer of copper RTV andthis seals it up pretty well. It may pose some danger to your o2 sensors though. I run open loop so it dosnt matter. Although it has not killed my wideband yet.
I usually coat the inside of the band clamps with a thin layer of copper RTV andthis seals it up pretty well. It may pose some danger to your o2 sensors though. I run open loop so it dosnt matter. Although it has not killed my wideband yet.
#19
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
Had leaks from my band clamps too. I used the wide ones with two bolts. Im guessing thats what you all are talking about. not only did I have leaks, but they didnt clamp well and the pipes kept shifting.
Welded everything I could and switch to v-clamps. THOSE dont budge or leak. Not to mention that they are easier to assemble/disassemble. I also heard that the band clamps can stretch, and after a few uses wont be able to clamp anymore. Not sure if its true...but there is some logic behind that.
J.
Welded everything I could and switch to v-clamps. THOSE dont budge or leak. Not to mention that they are easier to assemble/disassemble. I also heard that the band clamps can stretch, and after a few uses wont be able to clamp anymore. Not sure if its true...but there is some logic behind that.
J.