Damn exhaust leaks...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Damn exhaust leaks...
Every year it seems I have some slight exhaust leak with condensation dropping out of the connections. I've got a complete aftermarket setup from the block back (i.e. LT's, xpipe, and axle-back. I'm using torc-type bands that are plenty wide to span the joints. Do these loosen up over time, especially sitting in a cold garage all winter? Do leaks like these cause any performance or rough driving conditions?
Zen Vet Master Level VII
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 5,218
Likes: 1,174
From: Southlake, TX
If you want to fix it "for real" take your car to a pro muffler place and have them put a bead of weld all the way around your joints. It will take them about 30 minutes max.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
My guess is most likely not. The condensation should disappear when the engine heats up (this is normal) and the leak will just be annoying.
If you want to fix it "for real" take your car to a pro muffler place and have them put a bead of weld all the way around your joints. It will take them about 30 minutes max.
If you want to fix it "for real" take your car to a pro muffler place and have them put a bead of weld all the way around your joints. It will take them about 30 minutes max.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 898
Likes: 48
From: Olympia WA
Every year it seems I have some slight exhaust leak with condensation dropping out of the connections. I've got a complete aftermarket setup from the block back (i.e. LT's, xpipe, and axle-back. I'm using torc-type bands that are plenty wide to span the joints. Do these loosen up over time, especially sitting in a cold garage all winter? Do leaks like these cause any performance or rough driving conditions?
Loosen all the clamps that hold your exhaust system together and one by one pull them apart and apply (liberally) with a small brush, Permatex 80335 Muffler and Tailpipe Sealer to the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe fittings. Reassemble and tighten the clamps from front to back when you’re done applying the sealer.
When your exhaust system was assembled, they might not have been tightened up together at all the joints and probably aren’t air tight. A great part about using the sealer is that it gives you the best results while not being permanently welded and the system can be disabled easily if needed later.
I did exactly that when I did my cat-back two years ago and I have not had any exhaust leaks or dripping condensation what’s so ever.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 159
From: LaGrange Park, IL IL
St. Jude Donor '13, '15
Thanks CJ1957. I'm more than comfortable doing that. I have the necessary tools and such...I installed the headers myself on jack stands. Never thought of this product at the time. Local parts stores carry it in stock, so I'll check that out and give it a go the next time I have a free day to mess around with it. Does it dry in a way that may prevent the tips from moving crooked too? Two for one if so. 
