Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Exhaust What to use for gasket?

I have never used gasket material or sealer on my slip-on exhausts. I just pulled them off and and I can see marks that show a slight leak around the clamp where the Staintunes slip over the down pipe. I know there has been discussion about this in the past, but a quick search came up with nothing.

What kind of sealer of gaskets are you using on your exhaust pipes? I found some high temp (700 degree) red RTF silicone gasket maker. Will that work? Or should I look for some kind of solid gasket?

Thanks,
Cody

Yep, thats what i used. gotta say tho, i've since had em off a few times and put them back on without any sealer and didn't notice any difference in sound or anything.

I use the red RTV, 650º stuff. A thin line around the header pipe, then slip the muffler on and let it cure for 24 hours.

I used the black stuff, not sure of the temp, cause I'm not very neat!

....nothing...I have never sealed the header/muffler joint on any of the bikes that I have owned and I can't think why it is necessary to do so. Try it by all means but I bet you won't be able to tell the difference...

Jan

It may be necessary if you do not get a perfect seal and will therefore have an exhaust leak where you should not. I prefer to seal them with the red RTV and not have any issues, known or unknown.

Might be a stupid question (?) but does anyone use RTV to seal the header pipe to the engine?

Post deleted by Grump

Thanks guys. I know there's a gasket in there, but I have never changed it, not even when changing headers. Maybe I should have? The reason for asking was really a thought that a leak in that place would act pretty much as having the AI still in, sucking air and not being able to get rid of popping... (Still thinking out loud, but hey, it's still freaking winter here - what else could I do ;-)

The Staintune website recommends "Smear a light cover of high temperature silicone on any fitted joints" check it out at http://www.staintune.com.au/docs/FITTING_INSTRUCTIONS.doc

You are dead right - any leak at the head joint will cause loud backfiring and popping on the overrun. BUT you can usually get away with re-using the old crush gaskets once or twice - just don't go mad when you tighten the joint up - they don't need to be completely flat (despite their name) - just enough to get a good seal...

JAN

Thanks! Then I think I'll get myself a pair of new ones since I've changed headers... I suspect the seals aren't 100%.