Q300 v-clamp issue
 

So not sure if im doing this correct or my v-clamp skills are shit

First i put the clamp like this

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...pscaeeedf9.jpg

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...ps209cd3a6.jpg

Covering the side openings, then i noticed some air was trying to get out but instead it becomes water and residue as you can see on the pic.

So then i tried the clamp like this

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...psc6894866.jpg


This time no water coming out, but tiny air leak coming out, not sure whats the proper way of using this or there is something wrong with the clamp or pipe. The clamp is very very tight.

Any ideas?

I also tried putting the clamp in the middle, but air leak comes out from the side

Maybe try to loosen all the bolts holding the exhaust and re line everything up..

Pipes may have been shifted not lining everything up when you bolted them on tight.

Tried that, exhaust is perfectly line up.

Did your exhaust come with the lil tube of sealant?

Those don't look like v-bands. They look more like sleeve clamps? Is there a gasket that you're missing?

This is all i got

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...psbcb10ce9.jpg

http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2a5d0f44.jpg

No gasket need for that end, the exhaust pipe goes inside that other pipe in the second pic

Sure didnt

Then I suggest applying that sleeve clamp at the very end of the tip you have in the picture above. If you're applying the clamp forward of the end then you might not get a proper seal. Good luck.

Yea that's what was thinkin too.

Hope it works out.

I did what you suggested, no air leak anymore but, i do still have water coming out when i go WOT or accelerating, not sure if this is normal

This is a problem with slip fits. Try a longer clamp, something with more surface area. NAPA carries easy seal clamps in various sizes.

A small trickle of water now and them is pretty common. Even with no noticeable exhaust leak.

I used to get water marks from aftermarket exhausts at the connections.. as long as you dont hear any leaks you should be fine..

I made a video of the exhaust sounds

As you can see there are drips of water.

click on 1080p to see it



[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTn6_Bttt6U&list=UUwpPOt3Y2bj6Fbb2o1UiNag& index=1"]Brz q300 - YouTube[/ame]

From what I can see/hear you're solid. As others have said as long as you don't hear an exhaust leak you should be ok. Nice sounding system BTW. :thumbup:

Awesome thank you!

Yeah i was very shock to have that rumble note like i had on my 11 STI, very happy with it, i saw videos of other exhaust and never heard the nice rumble unless it had UEL headers.

Im in shock, good shock :D

BTW my Perrin did a bit of drip after first install. Let it run for a while and it was fine. No water drip after. Give that a shot.

I have same problem but i get tiny air leak no matter what..
is it going to be an issue? i tried fix it right after installation but already tired.
need time to fix it later

I just installed a q300 on my brz and had the exact same problem with water coming out. We moved the clamp towards the edge of the top pipe and clamped it there. Still had some water but no air could be felt. No problems since them I don't hear any leak sounds

i am little confused.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a3...psrlb97wvx.jpg

so do i need to clamp near to red arrow marked? or bue arrow where close to muffler?

I currently tightend at end of tip where red arrow is and still have little air leak and water comes down when started up the car..

man.. I don't like slip joints sigh..

@zc06_kisstherain you put it over the slits, so the blue area. Edits: also make sure you slide the mid pipe all the to the back of the muffler pipe to help with the leaks.


I have the Q300 too and i have the slight leak and drips too. I don't hear any hissing so i dunno, it just doesn't bother me.

If it really bothers you then I'd recommend having it welded together. That's really the only way to guarrentee no leaks or drips.

Blue

And retighten after a couple runs

I used some liquid copper gasket around all the slits and edges and then clamped over the top. No more leak at all.

yeah i already tightened there but small air leak.


this is a good idea. i will keep in mind.


I am thinking to use 2 clamps instead one. one at the red arrow and one at blue.

Both my Q300 exhausts had that little water drip on a cold start, but no exhaust leak noises or air coming out.

After a year or so I think it got plugged up with carbon because now it doesn't/rarely leaks water.

I wouldn't worry about it too much, double clamping might just tweak the pipes and make it worse if you try to really crank down. I would try exhaust putty or copper RTV before double clamping

I just fixed my leak using below 2 items i bought at local auto store

Tiger Patch & Exhaust Foil tape and hose clamp (aluminium??)

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51WM%2B-O1HLL.jpg
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...L._SL1500_.jpg

I started Foil taped at joint section (where two pipe meets) through side openings.
then i used tiger patched over at joint section as well as 2 side openings.
it might be overkill but i foil taped again for extra layer again.

I used my extra aluniminum hose clamp to clamp at joint section then i sleeved clamp end of tip that already covered with tiger patch & Exhaust foil.

I started the car and immediately checked for leak and there is none.
after idle, i double checked again and no leak again.
I drove normally around city and some WOT on 2-3rd gear then checked for leak again. there is none!

I hope this helps others with small leak on Q300 or other slip joint exhaust system.

I will keep update for longevity and reliability.

BTW, took video after

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-3lB89w7Pg"]BRZ invidia Q300 - YouTube[/ame]

crazy that a $700 exhaust would use such crappy connection methods.

glad you fixed the problem

I just installed the Q300 a couple of weeks ago on my FRS. I think you should put the clamp closer to the end of the pipe (be sure the pipes are pushed fully together fist). Also, a little muffler sealer (grey paste) applied to the pipes before inserting the pipes together adds some grit & grip and makes the clamp more secure. The main problem I had was 1 exhaust (right side) sticks out 1/2 to 3/4 inch further than the other side no matter how I try to adjust it.

For mine, i already fully pushed pipes into muffler side and did clamp to the end of the pipe. i didnt use sealer though but thought about it.
your suggestion is correct though, it didnt work for me. maybe my end of slip joint pipe had little dent causing small air leak. i am just happy that i solved problem :)

Same problem on mine. Ended up having to wrap that joint with exhaust tape.

I guess i wasnt the only one with tape!!!

Dunno why they're running a single bolt clamp like that, probably for weight savings.


Want it fixed properly without any extra crap?


Get one of these in the correct size.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/...SR268,320_.jpg

I was going to order this first.
If my tape doesnt hold i will probably order this later but i should be ok since it's small air leak

Out of curiosity, what is the correct size? Any link on where to order? My q300 has been on for about 5 days and I also have the water drip.

Do exhaust foil tape i did

I'm curious if Invidia is aware of this, and, if so, do they care to correct it?

No idea, you'd have to measure the pipe you have to figure it out.

Bumping this thread - still going on. @FT-86 SpeedFactory have you guys dealt with this issue before with your customers?

not everyone has this issue but few people.
mine is still holding strong after i fixed mine. ( 10 months)

Yeah, I ended up throwing some permatex ultra-grey on my seal but just curious if everyone who just used the slip joint (no seal, tape) has a leak.

yeah..i dont like slip joint style of any exhaust components because of this air leak issue. i rather spend few bucks for gasket