0 How to Fix an Exhaust Leak without Welding
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You know you have an exhaust leak, but you’re not sure where it is or how to fix it. You don’t want to take the car into the shop if you can fix it yourself, right? But you also are not skilled or confident enough with a welder to fix it. But there are other methods to fix the leak that don’t require welding.
In addition to the engine not running as well as it should, your check engine light can come on, and you will not have as good of fuel economy. Getting it repaired is important to the well-being of your vehicle. Here’s a step-by-step solution to get the leak fixed and get your ride back in tip-top shape.
Gather Equipment
Before you get started. you need to gather some tools. You’re going to be searching, finding, and repairing an exhaust leak. Be sure to be safe while you’re doing it.
This is a list to get you started. You will likely only need to repair the leak using only one method. You will not need to purchase all of the above. Check out the below list before you start shopping.
Finding the Leak
You know that you have a leak. You can hear the extra noise when you’re driving. Perhaps you aren’t getting the miles per gallon that you used to. This can be very disappointing, especially if this is the reason you bought your car. If you smell exhaust while driving, this is another sign that there may be a leak. There are a couple of things you can do to find the leak. If you have one, lift the vehicle onto a car jack.
One method is to run the vehicle and cover the tailpipe, preferably with an old rag. It should be kept in place as you inspect the exhaust system under the vehicle. Next, work your way to the manifold underneath the hood. Since the tailpipe at the muffler is plugged, the sound of any leaks is going to be made more apparent. The drainage hole allows condensation to escape from the muffler. It is usually located on the backside of the muffler. This hole should not be plugged! You should also look for sooty areas. There may be more than one source of soot if there is a leak.
Another way to find the leak is to put a shop-vac on the tailpipe, thereby pushing air into the system. Follow the lines of the exhaust system to the underside of your vehicle and use a spray bottle of soapy liquid to clean them. This will reveal any air leakage areas. You should pay attention to the connecting parts and flanges. With this method, there is no need to turn on the car.
Repairing the Leak
There are a few different ways that you can repair an exhaust leak. You will be able to choose from one of these three depending on the type and size of your leak.
Exhaust Putty
This is ideal for small leaks. First, take your wire brush or sandpaper to clean the surface. Aside from cleaning off the debris, this will roughen up the surface allowing your putty to bond better. Finally, use a rag and isopropyl alcohol to clean up anything not visible to the naked eye. Remove the cap from your putty, stir it to a viscous cement-like consistency. You can use a smaller wooden paint stick to stir and apply. Use a larger brush to cover more of the area you suspect is leaking. Let it dry. Make sure the vehicle is dry before you drive it. You can use a heat gun to make the process quicker.
Exhaust Clamp
Whereas putty is probably going to be the best option for a small leak, if you have a gaping hole somewhere in the exhaust system, you need something bigger. If your leak is not on a joint or a flange, an exhaust clamp will work just fine. Clean the area enough to ensure that the clamp can tighten unimpeded. Next, remove the bolts from clamp. The clamp should be extended around your exhaust leak. Finally, tighten the hardware.
- See also: How To Install A Muffler Without Welding (Quick & Easy)
Exhaust Bandage Wrap
You might have a gaping hole right next to a flange or other joint. In this case, an exhaust clamp is not going to be well-suited for your purposes. This is where an exhaust bandage can be helpful. This adhesive needs to be applied when the exhaust pipe is hot. Warm up the vehicle beforehand and make sure that the pipe is hot to the touch. Remove the ‘bandage strips’, which will reveal the extremely adhesive surface. Wrap the bandage around the damaged area, and like applying the putty, don’t be afraid to be generous with the wrap. Go an inch or two beyond the leak Finally, run the vehicle again so that it bonds properly. It will bond as strong as steel and without welding!
Inspecting the Repair
After you have installed the clamp, your putty has dried, or the exhaust bandage has bonded, you need to inspect your work to make sure it’s done properly. This time around you will almost certainly want to use the spray bottle of soapy water. You can either start the car or use the shop-vac to spray the area. Do you still hear any noises? It could be that there is another leak you didn’t notice the first time. The good news is that you know how to fix it now! This second task should take half the time.
Conclusion
That’s how easy it is to fix an exhaust leak without welding. While welding can be an attractive option for a structurally sound fix, you have to deal with a lot more safety issues from personal safety and health to dealing with fire being near the exhaust. These options will fix your leak and get you back on the road with peace and quiet.
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Featured image credit: Anna Kraynova, Shutterstock
