I have an exhaust leak, where my megaphone style slip on meets the header pipes. I'm thinking of using high heat silcon to solve the issue. Any reason i shouldnt do this?
Might not work...
but it won't cause any problems IMO. You'd be able to dig it out pretty easily.
What bike?
Haven't had first hand experience with silicone. I just sealed the same leaks on my Arrows with this:
(http://www.permatex.com/images/DisplayImage.asp?210%7C/images/ProductPhotos/80335.jpg)
Hope this helps
+1
Quote from: ducpainter on July 15, 2012, 05:56:21 PM
Might not work...
but it won't cause any problems IMO. You'd be able to dig it out pretty easily.
What bike?
2002 620. I got megaphones from a 900, but they mount differently then stock. my exhaust clamp isnt large enough so there is probably the problem :P I think i'll try the silcon first and see what happens then.
I would just use that other stuff if I were you. Only thing is I think its harder to get out than the silicone, but then again thats probably why its better. If you are certain you will keep that exhaust system on for a long time then I would just use the sealant (not the silicone but the other one). Good luck, take your time, and most importantly, have fun.
I used the other stuff ONCE, never again. It sets harder than rock, more like a steel weld ! Was on an old bevel twin Duc and the mufflers had two splits and a clamp over them to hold the muffler to the header pipe. Had a devil of a job getting the mufflers off the header pipes later on. Heat didn't help, had to drive a thin hardened steel spike in between the join and pick the stuff out. Grrrrrrr. Distorted the ends of the beautiful Contis in the process, fortunately the clamps hid the mess I made. Next time I cut two strips from a tin can and used them to fill the gaps, then the clamps held it all together adequately.
Quote from: WTSDS on July 17, 2012, 05:25:17 PMNext time I cut two strips from a tin can and used them to fill the gaps, then the clamps held it all together adequately.
I think that's how I'd go, too. A little aluminum slathered with anti seize would seal a pretty good gap. The only thing you'd have to worry about is the chemical reaction between the dissimilar metals (although the anti-seize would do a lot to neutralize that.)
Another option would be re-size the smaller pipe. How much of a difference is there between the old and new pipes, MD?
When I got my RoadRacing exhaust back from the powder coasters, the slip joints were tight enough doing some test assembly that I didn't want put them on the bike (and have them next to impossible to get them back off). I bought the tool at Harbor Freight for under $10 and stretched the outside pipe just a touch. Slip joint "slipped" just fine and it didn't even crack the new ceramic coating.
In your case, you'd want to stretch the inside pipe until it fits, then get a proper exhaust clamp. (FWIW, vintage Ducati parts sources have REALLY nice exhaust clamps that came on the old Silentium, Lafraconi, and Termi exhaust system that came on singles and early square case desmos. Bevel Heaven and Sid's Cycle in FLA come to mind.)
I have used RTV Copper with good success and no removal issues
http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_permatex_ultra_copper_maximum_temperature_rtv_silicone_gasket_maker.htm (http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_permatex_ultra_copper_maximum_temperature_rtv_silicone_gasket_maker.htm)
Quote from: WhiteStripe on July 19, 2012, 10:46:34 AM
I have used RTV Copper with good success and no removal issues
http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_permatex_ultra_copper_maximum_temperature_rtv_silicone_gasket_maker.htm (http://www.permatex.com/products/automotive/automotive_gasketing/gasket_makers/auto_permatex_ultra_copper_maximum_temperature_rtv_silicone_gasket_maker.htm)
Very good to know since it would be much easier to remove. How and where do you apply it?
- Did you apply it on the gasket itself?
- Did you cover the section of the header that goes into the mid-pipe with it or inside the mid-pipe itself? If so, how much?
Thanks
You definitely don't apply it "on the gasket itself". The OEM gasket gets thrown away and its a press fit basically; at least for the S2R800 it is. Yes the other stuff is much harder than the silicone, but I don't plan on changing exhausts anytime soon so it worked out pretty well for me. You will get some smoke btw, when you first turn it on but its normal and should go away once the bike is fully heated.
Quote from: uclabiker06 on July 19, 2012, 10:31:05 PM
You definitely don't apply it "on the gasket itself". The OEM gasket gets thrown away and its a press fit basically; at least for the S2R800 it is. Yes the other stuff is much harder than the silicone, but I don't plan on changing exhausts anytime soon so it worked out pretty well for me. You will get some smoke btw, when you first turn it on but its normal and should go away once the bike is fully heated.
Thanks Ucla for you comment. That is exactly what I did with my Arrows but now I am wondering about the day I need to take off the mid-pipe (hopefully never!). The reason I asked about the silicone is because, when I was trying to decide which way to go, some people on other boards, mentioned applying the silicone sealant on both sides of the gasket (???). Also, there are no tutorials or images anywhere that show how to correctly apply it.
If the silicone works for some people, that might be the way to go. I doubt it due to the constant temperature that the header to mid-pipe joints are subject to. I hope the OP tells us how it went...
Cheers