Recurring Exhaust Leaks After Bolt-Ons
 

Hi everyone, so I wanted to see if anyone has been having similar problems with this issue and if there's any solution that helped them. I added a full bolt-on setup to my Z this past December (Stillen Gen 3, ARK Grip full catback, Motordyne ART Pipes). In the same month, I had an exhaust leak coming from the downpipes so I went in and got it fixed. Now, not even 2 months later, I once again have a leak. I am assuming that it is coming from the same place. The parts are all new for the most part with no scratches or dents or anything, and the gaskets are all brand new, so I don't know why I keep getting this issue. Could it be from the bad road conditions or cold weather? Would love to hear some advice because I want to get to the bottom of this once and for all. Hate having that CEL staring into my soul.

I have the same problem. I have now tried 3 different brand gaskets(OEM, Z1, Generic) connecting my ART Pipes to my Z1 headers and Stillen CBE. I am going to get a tube of gasket sealer and try that next. The exhaust leak drives me nuts as well.

I purchased some gasket material from the parts store and cut my own to fit. Added gasket sealer for added prevention.

Yeah I don't know why there's such an issue between the headers and ART pipes. I mean I got my ART pipes like-new from a guy who briefly had it on his G37, but it should be the same fitment and I believe that the pipes are interchangeable between the two cars. Anyways, good luck with the gasket sealer and let me know if it works out!

Nice not a bad route to go. How has it been holding up? I'm gonna look into that with my shop and see what we should do.

I had an exhaust leak where my ART pipes met my exhaust (Fast Intention) when I used the Z1 metal gaskets. I swapped to Berk gaskets and used copper RTV and haven't had an issue since.

No issues whatsoever. Probably cost less than $30 in materials and some time.

I had the same issue after installing a FI cat back, there were leaks at the cat and mid-section, would drip water. I use some high temp copper anti-seize lube on both sides of the gaskets, no issues after a year.

Search for Permatex or Loctite copper based high temp anti-seize lube.

I think you want RTV for the gaskets, not anti-seize (though that is still useful for the fasteners).

I'll definitely look into RTV and anti-sieze. Anything that'll solve this leak issue once and for all works for me. Wish me luck haha

Just ordered "Permatex 81878 Ultra Copper Maximum Temperature RTV Silicone Gasket Maker" from Amazon. Lets hope this is the magic cure I need.

just make sure you follow the directions precisely. =) There is definitely a right way and wrong way to use RTV.

My exhaust flanges we so warped out of the box, that I took them to a machine shop and had them “straightened” on a large belt sander. They would have leaked for sure.

No leaks in over 1 year with the silver gaskets and no RTV.

Hey everyone, quick update. So the check engine light turned out to be a completely separate issue, it was due to faulty O2 sensors. So I replaced those with some that are better with aftermarket bolt-ons and everything has been good with that so far. There was still a leak where the y-pipe and mid-pipe joins, which is past the spot that the sensors pick up but that's what I was hearing and feeling while driving. The leak happened because the guys helping me with the initial install used a wheel nut as a bolt. Wasn't too thrilled to hear that haha, but we got it all sorted out and used some RTV for an extra seal and it has been driving great since. I guess the lesson here is go to someone you know will do the install right from the start, or do it yourself if you have the time and know-how. I'll let you all know if anything changes!

how many miles does your Z have?

It's got a little over 18,000 miles now

Damn. At least I know I’m not alone lol. I have a leak between my FI HFC and FI CB. Changed the gasket and not even 6,000 miles after, I had a leak again. Cars been in storage since November so I haven’t fixed the issue yet but I’m going to order new gaskets and try the Permatex with it this go round.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you haven’t tried them yet, I’d definitely suggest Z1 flange gaskets between your HFC and y-pipe. And permatex is a good extra measure to take. That combo is working great for me as of now and I am really hoping it continues to be. But yeah it sucks that there are so many leak issues in the first place when going FBO on the Z. Hope you get yours sorted out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Update: got another CEL today, it was throwing another P2098 (which is a rear o2 sensor reading my A/F ratio as too lean). Usually that is indicative of a downpipe leak. But since I already got all those leaks sealed and replaced my sensors, I suspect that my tune is running just a little too lean especially for the volatile weather conditions of NY. So I'm going to go to my guy when the weather gets a little warmer and ask him to add more fuel to the ratio. Honestly I don't mind if I lose a bit of hp over it, my engine's well-being and my sanity of not having to stare at that CEL every two weeks is more important to me. Any ideas of what else it may be? Or do I seem to have a pretty spot-on diagnosis?