ARH LT Exhaust Gasket Leak - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

MagnumForceGB · 04-23-2012, 07:21 PM

I installed my ARL LT's about a month ago and I used new OEM header gaskets. After 2 weeks I checked the exhaust bolts and noticed that I had black soot on the gasket at one area, so I cleaned it off and tightened all bolts. Now 2 weeks later and I have soot coming again from the same area.

Should I re-torque the bolt more then 18 ft-lbs? Should I go about 22 ft-lbs since I am using a 6 inch extension on this bolt? This part of the gasket was a pain to get it in since the bottom of the headers was flat, and the OEM gasket has rises in it. Does this mean I need to cut off the bottom of the gasket?

This is the drivers side.

Also, these ARH LT's are awesome, they really kick you in the ass when the RPM's go above 4k.

Yellow_Glide · 04-23-2012, 08:28 PM

I trimmed off the bottom of the OEM gasket so I ended up with a gasket that went under the header flange.

Can't tell from this view, does your OEM gasket come in contact with the primary tubes?

MagnumForceGB · 04-23-2012, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow_Glide

I trimmed off the bottom of the OEM gasket so I ended up with a gasket that went under the header flange.

Can't tell from this view, does your OEM gasket come in contact with the primary tubes?

Nope, the gasket doesn't come in contact with the tubes. Here is another angle.

I have the start shield on also, but I made sure nothing was in contact, and can put a finger between all metal.

Juiced1 · 04-23-2012, 09:06 PM

Make sure to put loc tite on those bolts!

Ventmaster · 04-24-2012, 06:28 PM

Or anti-seize on the bolts and some hi-temp RTV between header and gasket wouldn't hurt. They often need re-torqued after the first 50mi. or so.

I have to admit though, since that's one of the few bolts you can actually get a torque wrench on, it could be the other's are all a bit tighter. The extension shouldn't effect it.

I'd start in the center working out, alternating top to bottom, and tighten'em down just a lttle more.

Yellow_Glide · 04-24-2012, 09:04 PM

Agree with Ventmaster on checking the bolts again. Only other thing I can think of is the gasket has an imperfection in the at area: small nick or a slight crease / scratch.

MagnumForceGB · 04-25-2012, 08:22 AM

Thanks for the responses. Last night I re-torqued the bolts and got some good turns on them. Cleaned the soot and will check again in a few weeks.

bmorecam · 04-25-2012, 08:42 AM

you can also use stage-8 locking bolts if nothing work. Its possible your header could be warped on one side from the factory which is not unheard of.

Sent from my LG-P500 using Tapatalk

rock1962 · 04-25-2012, 04:20 PM

On this car and other cars I have had with headers after the bolts are torqued down the second time I mark the very top of the bolt with a paint pen(a small dot top dead center) so you can tell if the bolts are backing out. Then you can check with a flashlight periodically.

1954 Belair-man · 04-25-2012, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rock1962

On this car and other cars I have had with headers after the bolts are torqued down the second time I mark the very top of the bolt with a paint pen(a small dot top dead center) so you can tell if the bolts are backing out. Then you can check with a flashlight periodically.

Thats a great tip, thank you

04-23-2012, 07:21 PM	#1
MagnumForceGB Drives: Fastest 2010 Camaro V6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 3,571 View My Garage	ARH LT Exhaust Gasket Leak I installed my ARL LT's about a month ago and I used new OEM header gaskets. After 2 weeks I checked the exhaust bolts and noticed that I had black soot on the gasket at one area, so I cleaned it off and tightened all bolts. Now 2 weeks later and I have soot coming again from the same area. Should I re-torque the bolt more then 18 ft-lbs? Should I go about 22 ft-lbs since I am using a 6 inch extension on this bolt? This part of the gasket was a pain to get it in since the bottom of the headers was flat, and the OEM gasket has rises in it. Does this mean I need to cut off the bottom of the gasket? This is the drivers side. Also, these ARH LT's are awesome, they really kick you in the ass when the RPM's go above 4k. __________________ Camaro V6 = 11.268 @ 120.11

04-23-2012, 08:28 PM	#2
Yellow_Glide Drives: 2011 1LT "Chakita". 04 Yota Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 823	I trimmed off the bottom of the OEM gasket so I ended up with a gasket that went under the header flange. Can't tell from this view, does your OEM gasket come in contact with the primary tubes? __________________ Hi, my name is Chakita. I have cams!!!! Build thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3847083

04-24-2012, 09:04 PM	#6
Yellow_Glide Drives: 2011 1LT "Chakita". 04 Yota Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 823	Agree with Ventmaster on checking the bolts again. Only other thing I can think of is the gasket has an imperfection in the at area: small nick or a slight crease / scratch. __________________ Hi, my name is Chakita. I have cams!!!! Build thread: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?p=3847083

04-25-2012, 08:22 AM	#7
MagnumForceGB Drives: Fastest 2010 Camaro V6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 3,571 View My Garage	Thanks for the responses. Last night I re-torqued the bolts and got some good turns on them. Cleaned the soot and will check again in a few weeks. __________________ Camaro V6 = 11.268 @ 120.11

04-23-2012, 09:06 PM	#4
Juiced1 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 2SS CAMARO 45th Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: St. Charles, IL Posts: 18,648	Make sure to put loc tite on those bolts!

04-24-2012, 06:28 PM	#5
Ventmaster Drives: 2017 1SS 6spd Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Utah Posts: 3,033	Or anti-seize on the bolts and some hi-temp RTV between header and gasket wouldn't hurt. They often need re-torqued after the first 50mi. or so. I have to admit though, since that's one of the few bolts you can actually get a torque wrench on, it could be the other's are all a bit tighter. The extension shouldn't effect it. I'd start in the center working out, alternating top to bottom, and tighten'em down just a lttle more.

04-25-2012, 08:42 AM	#8
bmorecam Account Suspended Drives: jealous vendors mad!! HAHA!! Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: CYBERGMONSTER@GMAIL.COM Posts: 3,658 View My Garage	you can also use stage-8 locking bolts if nothing work. Its possible your header could be warped on one side from the factory which is not unheard of. Sent from my LG-P500 using Tapatalk

04-25-2012, 04:20 PM	#9
rock1962 Drives: 2018 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: ontario canada Posts: 442 View My Garage	On this car and other cars I have had with headers after the bolts are torqued down the second time I mark the very top of the bolt with a paint pen(a small dot top dead center) so you can tell if the bolts are backing out. Then you can check with a flashlight periodically.