Exhaust leak.

[J8boston8j]

Well I finally got around to putting on my exhaust. Headers back. I have a Motiv dowpipe and ARK Catback. Where they meet there is an exhaust leak and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to fix it! There was no gasket to begin with and the gaskets that came with the kit don't fit it of course. But I've got it as tight as it can go trying with both the spring bolts and normal bolts and it still leaks out the top and bottom of the connection. Ideas to try would be awesome. Sorry for sounding so car stupid!

[FR-S Matt]

Originally Posted by J8boston8j

Well I finally got around to putting on my exhaust. Headers back. I have a Motiv dowpipe and ARK Catback. Where they meet there is an exhaust leak and I cannot for the life of me figure out how to fix it! There was no gasket to begin with and the gaskets that came with the kit don't fit it of course. But I've got it as tight as it can go trying with both the spring bolts and normal bolts and it still leaks out the top and bottom of the connection. Ideas to try would be awesome. Sorry for sounding so car stupid!

The middle section is suppose to flex and I think this is by design. My system has a foil donut and two long bolts to connect the mid-pipe section. It looks off center to me but I don't have a leak after tightening.

Are you seeing any kind of residue that is showing a leak?

[J8boston8j]

Originally Posted by FR-S Matt

The middle section is suppose to flex and I think this is by design. My system has a foil donut and two long bolts to connect the mid-pipe section. It looks off center to me but I don't have a leak after tightening.

Are you seeing any kind of residue that is showing a leak?

Yea you can feel the exhaust coming out of it. It has a little white smoke now and again when you step on the gas. With it tightened its metal on metal and when its off it doesn't feel like there is a hole but I guess there is.

[J8boston8j]

I have all the gaskets but none fit it so I'm guessing I should go get a doughnut gasket from the dealership?

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by J8boston8j

I have all the gaskets but none fit it so I'm guessing I should go get a doughnut gasket from the dealership?

I had this problem with my ARK testpipe.
Measure the inner diameter required for the donut gasket and order one from Vibrant/blox etc.

Autozone didn't have crap, I even dug through all their gaskets in the back room and did not find anything. Just find the inner diameter required and order an appropriate sized one from your favorite parts website

[J8boston8j]

Originally Posted by Marchy

that's too bad you had an issue with the ark test pipe, I had zero issue with fitment to my perrin CBE and ark even included a donut gasket to use (which i didn't need, just used the regular flat gasket)

Do any of the stock flat gaskets fit? I have all the ones that came with the catback and all the stock ones left over. It didn't just slide on for me so i just threw them aside and figured it wasn't supposed to have the gasket.

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

I'm having an issue with my j2 to buddyclub. The j2 requires a flat regular gasket while the buddyclub has an indent for a doughnut gasket. I just forced the doughnut gasket in and it barely leaks, and once warm it seals up

[FR-S Matt]

Originally Posted by SmsAlSuwaidi

I'm having an issue with my j2 to buddyclub. The j2 requires a flat regular gasket while the buddyclub has an indent for a doughnut gasket. I just forced the doughnut gasket in and it barely leaks, and once warm it seals up

That's how mine was on the midpipe section. Started off looking like it would leak, the donut expanded and closed any gap and I retightened the long bolts on the sides and now its sealed pretty nicely. Seems like this mid section for everyone is a pain.

[DJCarbine]

Originally Posted by Marchy

well i cannot comment exactly on your set up, but with mine (ark test pipe to perrin CBE) the stock gaskets were good for re-use.

Thats strange, my stock donut gasket would NOT fit the ark test pipe. I had to order a 2.5 inch ID donut gasket. Maybe they have 2 different diameter versions, or did you just use a 2 hole gasket where the donut gasket would be?

[zc06_kisstherain]

I don't know about Ark-Front PIpe but i re-used my stock donut gasket on my Motiv Front pipe and worked fine.

[J8boston8j]

I think that's my issue. I found that I forgot about that gasket on the stock exhaust ill get into it again Sunday or Monday and it should be fixed!

[J8boston8j]

Got it fixed! Now I have that wonderful o2 sensor code to get rid of! No cat in the hks headers so it's not so happy with me.

[wparsons]

And this is why I went with the perrin mid pipe and cat back, no fuss at all and the gaskets were supplied.