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Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:13 pm

This is an issue I've had with every bug I've ever had. Every time I put on donut gaskets on the heat box to muffler connection, they start leaking after about two weeks. I think I may be tightening them too tight. When I start tightening them down, they don't seem tight until the metal flanges that come with the gaskets start to flatten out...sometimes the bolts have even started to bend. Am I getting cheap gaskets, or am I simply tightening them too tight? How do I know when they are tight enough? I put on heat boxes that I got from a guy here, and now I'm getting an exhaust smell in the car and I see that these gaskets have been leaking. The boxes are excellent, so I know it's got to be these gaskets.

Thanks!

Mon Nov 27, 2006 12:35 pm

I can only give you my experience with exhaust fasteners, and gaskets in general and you may find it helpful in your particular need.

I use "never seize" or "anti seize" compound on nuts, bolts, gaskets, and where exhaust components slip together, or even where they contact.

It's silvery/grey and messy. But very helpful in situations like this.

Then as I assemble an exhaust system I'll snug all the bolts down, not really really tight.

Start engine and let the smoke fly off the areas that have this stuff on them.

As the exhaust warms I'll continue easily "snugging up" on the bolts, and nuts.

After it has fully warmed and I've checked the tightness of everything, I'll go for a drive. Around the block or to the store and back.

Now the system is full temperature and I'll check tightness all again.

This time to full tightness.

WARNING!!! On those little bolts, and wrap around clamps it doesn't take much to be full tight before the clamp bends or a bolt breaks off.

If you have broken off bolts or studs getting old rusty exhaust things apart, this will be good news for next time. That's what never seize means.

After a day, or week I will go back over it again, probably while warm and check it one more time.

Mon Nov 27, 2006 1:55 pm

Those things are such a pain. I was having nasty fume leaks from the donut gaskets I took the whole thing apart assuming that the gaskets were smashed or something but I found them to be in perfect shape. I re-assembled the exhaust and tightened the clamps on the gaskets very hard (probably too hard) and the leaks were gone. But every once in a while The leaks come back then they will disapear again. ???