My exhaust hates me.

blackbok · 11-16-2003, 06:17 AM

i was taking a peek under my car today (which always turns out to be a bummer) and I noticed some carbon build up on my midpipe-to-axle back flange (Stromung on both). I started up the car and sure enough, some water droplets started lightly "spritzing" out of the bottom. This is not the first time this has happened. I unbolted the connection to find the bottom of the gasket was burnt through. Again. I replaced a gasket about 6 months ago. I also decided to replace the cat-tomidpipe "donut" gasket because I never did that when I put on the new midpipe. There too, I get the same "leak".

is there a solution to this? They appear to be minor leaks, but I'd much prefer a tight seal! I am to the point where I want to just weld the entire exhaust sytem into one piece.

Any realistic suggestions?

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m750 · 11-16-2003, 01:09 PM

I've had the same problem... a bolt on system just flexes too much, imho.
Maybe an exhaust shop and get under and make sure the flanges are bolted up right, but most likely you'll be replacing the same gaskets again, later on.
AO

Kevin Thomas · 11-16-2003, 01:20 PM

Is there a recommended torque for those exhaust bolts? Perhaps like cylinder head bolts, they need to be retightened after installation and driving it around for a bit. Maybe your particular setup flex (like mentioned above) more than some others for some reason and a retightening to a certain torque is needed after a couple hundred miles for extra measure.

Just a guess!

blackbok · 11-16-2003, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevin Thomas
Is there a recommended torque for those exhaust bolts? Perhaps like cylinder head bolts, they need to be retightened after installation and driving it around for a bit. Maybe your particular setup flex (like mentioned above) more than some others for some reason and a retightening to a certain torque is needed after a couple hundred miles for extra measure. Just a guess!

Believe me, with the issues I've had in combination with my obsessive compulsive dissorder

I check the tightness on those bolts constantly.

Blindeye_03 · 11-16-2003, 05:44 PM

Just get the flanges cut and make it so they are welded together (axle back and midpipe). This is how my 'custom' n1 exhaust is

.

-justin

Texas25RS · 11-16-2003, 05:52 PM

The problem with most, if not all, aftermarket exhausts is that the donut flange cannot be reused (this is at least true with the Apexi N1 cat-back I have).... so this leaves no flexible section in the pipe. No matter how tight you get those bolts, you will almost always develope a leak some where because the engine rotates as you accelerate putting an enormous ammount of torque on those parts.... the only way to fix this is to put a flexible section back in SOME WHERE so when the engine torques, the exhaust flexs instead of pulling at those parts.

The tree huggers will hate me, but I plan on subbing ou the stock cats for a 2.25" straight through with a flexible section (the new Random Tech does not have a flex section in it).

m750 · 11-16-2003, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Texas25RS

The tree huggers will hate me, but I plan on subbing ou the stock cats for a 2.25" straight through with a flexible section (the new Random Tech does not have a flex section in it).

There is really not much to be gained over a highflow cat. But there is a big fine for removing your cats... best of luck with that.
AO

11-16-2003, 06:17 AM	#1
blackbok Scooby Specialist Member#: 12176 Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SoCal Vehicle: 2002 Geo Metro Teal	My exhaust hates me. i was taking a peek under my car today (which always turns out to be a bummer) and I noticed some carbon build up on my midpipe-to-axle back flange (Stromung on both). I started up the car and sure enough, some water droplets started lightly "spritzing" out of the bottom. This is not the first time this has happened. I unbolted the connection to find the bottom of the gasket was burnt through. Again. I replaced a gasket about 6 months ago. I also decided to replace the cat-tomidpipe "donut" gasket because I never did that when I put on the new midpipe. There too, I get the same "leak". is there a solution to this? They appear to be minor leaks, but I'd much prefer a tight seal! I am to the point where I want to just weld the entire exhaust sytem into one piece. Any realistic suggestions? * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

11-16-2003, 01:20 PM	#3
Kevin Thomas Street Racing Instructor Moderator Member#: 110 Join Date: Jul 1999 Location: 1997 OBS, 1996 SVX, 1988 RX Vehicle: 1989 1989 XT6	Well Is there a recommended torque for those exhaust bolts? Perhaps like cylinder head bolts, they need to be retightened after installation and driving it around for a bit. Maybe your particular setup flex (like mentioned above) more than some others for some reason and a retightening to a certain torque is needed after a couple hundred miles for extra measure. Just a guess!

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11-16-2003, 01:09 PM	#2
m750 Scooby Guru Member#: 2278 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Pepperell MA Vehicle: 8Sti \| 07 allez White \| Comp	I've had the same problem... a bolt on system just flexes too much, imho. Maybe an exhaust shop and get under and make sure the flanges are bolted up right, but most likely you'll be replacing the same gaskets again, later on. AO

11-16-2003, 05:44 PM	#5
Blindeye_03 Scooby Guru Member#: 4418 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Woodstock, Georgia Vehicle: 2008 S2000 Black	Just get the flanges cut and make it so they are welded together (axle back and midpipe). This is how my 'custom' n1 exhaust is . -justin

11-16-2003, 05:52 PM	#6
Texas25RS Scooby Guru Member#: 3148 Join Date: Dec 2000 Chapter/Region: TXIC Location: DFW, TX Vehicle: 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 Crystal White Pearl Mica	The problem with most, if not all, aftermarket exhausts is that the donut flange cannot be reused (this is at least true with the Apexi N1 cat-back I have).... so this leaves no flexible section in the pipe. No matter how tight you get those bolts, you will almost always develope a leak some where because the engine rotates as you accelerate putting an enormous ammount of torque on those parts.... the only way to fix this is to put a flexible section back in SOME WHERE so when the engine torques, the exhaust flexs instead of pulling at those parts. The tree huggers will hate me, but I plan on subbing ou the stock cats for a 2.25" straight through with a flexible section (the new Random Tech does not have a flex section in it).