are small exhaust leaks from clamps normal?

[M3NACE90]

so i have an aftermarket catback installed along with secondary cat and resonator delete, i had a rattle coming from one of my clamps that mustve rattled loose. got that tightened up and decided to spray each clamp with soapy water, i had bubbles coming from 3 out of 4 clamps, is this normal?

[BigRussia]

I have a similar issue with one of the axleback clamps too. No matter how I position it and tightening it down all the way, i have a tiny exhaust leak from where the two ends of the clamp meet. Ive already readjusted my xpipe and axleback twice and the flanges are pressed together but i still cant eliminate the leak. Was starting to wonder if the clamp itself is the issue, or like you wonder if that just the way it is. The other side's clamp doesnt seem to leak at all though.

[M3NACE90]

ok so im not the only one at least.. im gunna assume that with clamps its common..

[Rat3d ///M]

I had one at one of my clamps as well. No matter how you positioned it and tightened it it would leak. Kind of annoying because in Germany they fail you in inspection for the slightest exhaust leak. I spent 2 hours one day trying to get it to not leak. Eventually got it positioned just right and the leak went away.

[Millie]

Small leak if fine if it doesn't end up seeping into the cabin.

[Phil5129]

This is a great subject....I fought like a mad man for months and I was determined to make the leaks in my catback non existent. I did and here is how.

Ps. I have a Agency style exhaust the has 3 pipes in total. 2 that come from the x pipe and 1 full muffler setup.

Get the exhaust leak putty and put a thin coat on the area, then wrap with the exhaust patching film (you can get at autozone or wherever looks like tin foil), then buy from Summit the strapped band clamp for lap joint. If you can't fit the stepped version use a normal band clamps. Torque it down to spec and enjoy.

If you do it right you will never see this ghetto rig under the band clamp. If you still have a leak, must be a rod bearing issue and your engine is destroyed, buy a new car and donate yours to me.

[M3NACE90]

Originally Posted by Phil5129

This is a great subject....I fought like a mad man for months and I was determined to make the leaks in my catback non existent. I did and here is how.

Ps. I have a Agency style exhaust the has 3 pipes in total. 2 that come from the x pipe and 1 full muffler setup.

Get the exhaust leak putty and put a thin coat on the area, then wrap with the exhaust patching film (you can get at autozone or wherever looks like tin foil), then buy from Summit the strapped band clamp for lap joint. If you can't fit the stepped version use a normal band clamps. Torque it down to spec and enjoy.

If you do it right you will never see this ghetto rig under the band clamp. If you still have a leak, must be a rod bearing issue and your engine is destroyed, buy a new car and donate yours to me.

This must happen with all slip on exhausts if we all have this problem. Ill try another day to fix it since its only minor, but then again it could be my rod bearings like u said🤔😳

[yidgyi]

I just installed a full exhaust system recently and I also have a small exhaust leak near the catback clamp area. I tightened the OEM clamp as much as I could and it still wiggled around. I decided to wrap it with heat wrap and clamp it down. Its a more snug fit and doesn't shake as much or slip off. Still not satisfied with it because I can hear a small leak still. Also, the catless smell seeps into the cabin at redlights. I've tried different clamps like 2.5" and a 3" from home depot. Didn't do much but I'm going to tackle this again soon. Can't stand the rattling and leaks. Makes me want to go back to stock.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by M3NACE90

so i have an aftermarket catback installed along with secondary cat and resonator delete, i had a rattle coming from one of my clamps that mustve rattled loose. got that tightened up and decided to spray each clamp with soapy water, i had bubbles coming from 3 out of 4 clamps, is this normal?

you should use high temp exhaust sealer under those clamps...

[OneSickM]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

you should use high temp exhaust sealer under those clamps...

I have never heard of exhaust sealer. Can you share picture of that?

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by s65M3_e92

I have never heard of exhaust sealer. Can you share picture of that?

Akrapovic exhaust comes with it. Funny you ask, I picked some up today at AutoZone for $5, its red. Just go to Autozone or any other store and get it there, it will be with all seal makers...

[turbo_joe]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

Akrapovic exhaust comes with it. Funny you ask, I picked some up today at AutoZone for $5, its red. Just go to Autozone or any other store and get it there, it will be with all seal makers...

x2 on this, I used some on my test pipe install to make sure the clamps were air tight. It worked perfectly.

[TWiTCHY]

Originally Posted by Cbozz

Akrapovic exhaust comes with it. Funny you ask, I picked some up today at AutoZone for $5, its red. Just go to Autozone or any other store and get it there, it will be with all seal makers...

Same as high temp RTV? https://m.summitracing.com/parts/ptx-81160

[squartus]

Hmm will have to give the sealer a try, always smell like a gas tank after a ride with windows down.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

Same as high temp RTV? https://m.summitracing.com/parts/ptx-81160

yup, exactly that one

[aswy6]

Did this ever we resolved? I have same issue and I get a buzzing sound inside of the car. I have tried everything I could including exhaust paste and aluminum foil on top and then the clamp on top. Nothing helps.

[CHE///MIST3]

My exhaust shop insisted on bead welding my Megan cat-back because he said a lot of people come back with complaints of leaks, so I agreed. I thought he was just being a brute, lol...but I guess it was for the best, I didn't know leaks were an issue with these socket/clamp assemblies.

GM