Cat-back exhaust joint leak

[ManBearPig]

Installed my MBRP race today and have driven then messed with it several times trying to get everything lined up and leak free.

For the life of me, I can not get the tail pipe/H pipe joint to seal properly. I've got the clamps tightened down very well, I think they are placed correctly (covering the relief slot, almost flush with the end of the outer pipe) but if I start the car cold and hold my hand around the joint I can feel it leak. Once the car idles down I can't feel the leak anymore but I'm not sure if that is because the RPM has dropped or because the pipes have expanded slightly and have sealed up.

Is this something that will seal itself over time after several warm up and cool down cycles, and once there is a slight amount of corrosion in the joint? Or is there something I'm doing wrong here?

Thanks.

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[Iceman2733]

How tight are you installing the clamps? I was told 45 ft lbs

 

[btp916]

I have a leak after installing mine. Comes from the joint on the driver side from the stock pipes out of the catalytic converter. Frustrating.

 

[ManBearPig]

I torqued the clamps to 40,45 and finally 50. Still leaks.

 

[Murphjup]

I torqued the clamps to 40,45 and finally 50. Still leaks.

Have you tried rotating the clamps? Or even swapping sides?

Just a few ideas...

 

[Stripes]

I'm having a similar issue with my MRT H-Pipes as well... In considering getting them welded on to solve this.

 

[DrDing.Muscle]

Do you hear the leaks? Is that why it bothers you?

 

[Dramad1]

You can try throwing some high temp copper gasket around the inside of the clamp. I've used it in the past and it worked for me

 

[ManBearPig]

I think the problem was twofold:

I had the clamps positioned so that the "block" the bolt goes through was right over a relief joint. There wasn't any clamping force on that joint so I suspect that was part of the problem

I've also messed with it so much (and over tightened them) the clamps seem to have "stretched". If I tighten them down now they don't clamp much at all. Ordering some new clamps and I'm going to start again

 

[SLA]

Wow, you guys seriously used a torque wrench on exhaust clamps? Talk about over complicating something , lol

 

[ManBearPig]

I didn't at first, but when I couldn't get the joint to stop leaking I did. I think I overtorqued them so will be using a torque wrench right off the bat next time

 

[Falconetti]

man+bear+pig=stretched exhaust clamps

I would inspect the pipes and connections, again. I used an impact.

 

[ManBearPig]

Got my new clamps on today. I repositioned them as well this time. Leaks a bit less but it's still there. I'm convinced this is as good as it gets....just going to drive it for a while, re torque the clamps, and see if maybe it seals itself.

 

[Shawn@RIP TUNING]

Are the pipes slipped in all the way?

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