Rep Power: 488

Hey Guys,

I'm a bit new to modding cars, but I love my vic and I'm trying to learn more.

I had an HP racing header, it was installed over a year ago by a shop. I recently removed it and put on a DC Sports Header... just yesterday. Now there's a fat exhaust leak coming from the header, and I'm not sure where.

Someone I spoke to at Honda said that the leak is probably from the header to head connection as opposed to the downpipe connection where I would have thought... something about a crush gasket and it only being able to be used once. Is he right? Do I just need another crush gasket, put that on, and that should stop the leak?

Just wondering. Thanks for any help guys.

 
Rep Power: 0

its prob the donut gasket on the header to the dp. Check the header you took off, see if its on there. If it is, simply remove and put on the new header. No reason to buy a new one. But if you want to, its like 10 bucks.

 
Rep Power: 488

^Dude at honda told me that it's rarely the donut, usually it's the crush gasket that needs to be replaced... what do you think?

 
Rep Power: 811

its the manifold gasket between the header and head. You need a new one when you swap headers. I too have a leak but too lazy to port a new gasket and take header off again.

 
Rep Power: 0

Zap if you need a hand let me know. As for the flange gasket its metal and resuable. Plus I though I had a leak so I went to the dealer and they said the donut gasket should be replaced every time you take off the down pipe and the flange is resuable.. But at the dealer they also had some hate for dc headers and siad it was prolly that but all you have to do is look for carbon stains. Carbon stains will let you see where its leeking from. I ended up buying a new donut but have yet to put it on. Btw the two piece flange gasket is not a crush type.

 
Rep Power: 263

Also check and make sure that everything is tightened down properly. I had a nut come off of mine and was leaking massively before I caught it.

 
Rep Power: 0

I had a leak too, try unscrewing the header and adjusting it again, make sure its on straight with the gasket/ not on an angle. The leak went away after I did that, it might work for you. I had originally bought a new gasket to use with my new header but ended up not needing it.

 
Rep Power: 0

Carbon stains ( i never heard this term before) is where there is black smoke stains from the exhaust leak. Its a path through the gasket. Just in case you didnt know I also use this technique for other gasket leaks and head gasket leaks.

 
Rep Power: 271

dude just change the donut gasket...

 
Rep Power: 488

Some people say donut leak, some say manifold leak... hmmm. This is going to be harder than I thought. Thanks for the offer CG, I think I'm going to take care of it tonight at a friends house here in Stockton. We'll see what we find. I was hoping to know what to buy.

BTW This is for an ex, if that makes a difference. And the leak is LOUD, if I press on the gas more than just a little it makes it sound like a 1970's engine....

 
Rep Power: 0

No prob! Just hate to see others suffer when I can help. As for what I am trying to say is just pull your header and if the flange is leaking you will see trces of carbon passed where it should. Unless its the donut which pretty much always looks like ****. I would say put your money in the donut without seeing and or hearing. Just take it to your buddies and pull the header and check all the joints(header) and gaskets you should be fine. Good luck!

 
Rep Power: 263

then either its coming from the down pipe or your gasket is bad that s the only two places its gonna come from. and if you can hear it then you should be able to find it if its that loud. good luck with that one.

 
Rep Power: 488

Alright guys, found the problem.

Checked out the original header (HP Racing) that I had on and it still had the donut on it

Stupid me didn't even bother to take it off. Maybe that's the source of the leak?

 
Rep Power: 811

um ya haha. oh btw for the guy that posted up there the two piece gasket IS a crsh type.

 
Rep Power: 0

On my bone stock 2002 ex it has a two peice non crush type. Crush type are usually ribbed and indeted so it will crush to form a seal. I had them on my ford they where copper and they sucked. The best gasket I had was earls.

Btw nice one zap........rookie! LOL jk. Good that is was a simple fix.

 
Rep Power: 811

on the gasket I have, there is a ring around each port where the metal sticks out. So when you bolt on the header, they push together.

 
Rep Power: 0

The gasket the guy at the dealership was talking about is the gasket between the head and the primary flange. And yes it is a good idea to change/ replace all of your gaskets when you take apart your exhaust system. This will ensure the job gets done the first time.

NOTE TO OTHERS: I said it is a GOOD IDEA, not that it is MANDATORY.

 
Rep Power: 0

yeah buit he's wrong, i've taken off my header twice, no problem.
then turboed and had that one taken off a couple times still no problem, then just replaced with stock header, still using the same gaskets from day one, the donut will last prolly forever and the metal gasket if it's not crush like mine then should last a really really long time after all it's a metal gasket! enough said

 
Rep Power: 0

Never mind not woth it...

 
Rep Power: 0

On second thought...no I will go on with it.

The guy is not wrong just because you have not had any leaks...or they are just too quiet for you to hear them...or you do not know what to listen for...but I really do believe you have not had any problems...some people may...some may not...that is why I say and the tech people say you should change your gaskets...better to do the work once than to have to do the work twice...or should I say better to do it and not need to, rather than not do it and need to. People just need to use their best judgement.

 
Rep Power: 0