1600 Damper Pipe Exhaust Leak

[hambone]

I have an exhaust leak at the driver's side muffer/heat exchanger connection. Will a new clamp and gobs of RTV help this, or must I pull the entire muffler?
The leak is small but "fweeming" slightly like a Beetle. It's been driving me mad.

[Amskeptic]

I have an exhaust leak at the driver's side muffer/heat exchanger connection. Will a new clamp and gobs of RTV help this, or must I pull the entire muffler?
The leak is small but "fweeming" slightly like a Beetle. It's been driving me mad.

The wire mesh style gaskets are a seriously compromised "plan B" solution to more asbestos. They are not leak-proof. I recommend that you pack the wire voids with ultra-orange sensor safe Permatex rtv, let it skin, then assemble with only the two piece clamps. Muffler has to come off.
Colin

[Amskeptic]

Ok, update time.

Yep, new update time.
Colin
(p.s. I recommend the ULTRA-orange, it is coppery dull, not shiny orange, especially as you get closer to the exhaust ports)

[hambone]

Thanks Colin I was afraid of that. Bus has been messing with me lately.

It still may be worth it to try that concrete goop and a new clamp. It would be a hell of a lot easier than pulling the exhaust. I know the heat riser pipe is slightly out of alignment with the muffler and I'd rather not upset that delicate balance.

[sped372]

Ok, update time.

Yep, new update time.
Colin

Haven't driven the bus since then. I've probably pushed it in and out of the garage 5x while doing some surface rust repair under the driver's seat, though. Just got the seat back in last night, so it's drive-able again... maybe I'll get a chance over the next couple days.

(p.s. I recommend the ULTRA-orange, it is coppery dull, not shiny orange, especially as you get closer to the exhaust ports)

Did I use the wrong stuff? I looked at the Ultra in the store but grabbed the 27B since it seemed to more closely match your description ("ox sensor orange rtv").

[Amskeptic]

I'll get a chance over the next couple days.

(p.s. I recommend the ULTRA-orange, it is coppery dull, not shiny orange, especially as you get closer to the exhaust ports)

Did I use the wrong stuff? I looked at the Ultra in the store but grabbed the 27B

Let me know how it holds up.
Colin

[sped372]

Everything seemed hunky-dory on the way in to work this morning. I had a few downhill over-runs and didn't notice anything. I won't know for sure until I get someplace extra steep, though. I'll try to remember to post back here periodically to keep tabs on the longevity of the repair.

[Amskeptic]

Everything seemed hunky-dory on the way in to work this morning. I had a few downhill over-runs and didn't notice anything. I won't know for sure until I get someplace extra steep, though. I'll try to remember to post back here periodically to keep tabs on the longevity of the repair.

I do so love a hunky-dory VW bus.
Colin

[skin daddio]

has anyone determined the temperature range of the spot where the doughnuts go? permatex.com states the blue 500F, red 650F, ultra copper 700F. got all three but looking for the acousti-seal around here somewhere.

[Amskeptic]

has anyone determined the temperature range of the spot where the doughnuts go? permatex.com states the blue 500F, red 650F, ultra copper 700F. got all three but looking for the acousti-seal around here somewhere.

500* easy on a long uphill.

[skin daddio]

that helps, thanks colin.

[sped372]

I really hope this does the trick.

It shaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllll.
Colin

Well, the leak is back. I'm seriously thinking of having the connection welded together. I can't stand "fixing" something over and over again.

[Amskeptic]

I really hope this does the trick.

It shaaaaaaaalllllllllllllllllll.
Colin

Well, the leak is back. I'm seriously thinking of having the connection welded together. I can't stand "fixing" something over and over again.

The mesh style gaskets suck. I am on reseal #3 of both heat exchanger doughnuts and the tail pipe. They are barely 1,000 miles old. I want the "asbestos" ones back. I chatted with a serious mechanic who recommended teflon tape as a bandage-the-bastard technique just before applying the clamps. It is *p*a*t*h*e*t*i*c* that we cannot have decent exhaust sealing. It is a safety/health issue, and these manufacturers can do better than the cheesy crap they're foisting upon us.
Colin

[sped372]

I am going to try one last thing before resorting to welding it.

I found these in the classifieds on theSamba and they look to be the old-style (non mesh) gaskets. I'll let you know how it works out.



http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/ ... ?id=986061

Fingers crossed.

[Amskeptic]

I found these old-style gaskets. I'll let you know how it works out.

Fingers crossed.

Please do. How much for two exchanger gaskets and one tailpipe gasket?
ColinMonoxidedBrainDamage