Exhaust Pipe Blues or To leak or not to leak that is the ...
by: ng5y - Jun 18, 2014 11:34:12 GMT -5
Post by ng5y on Jun 18, 2014 11:34:12 GMT -5
I got my TaoTao new in February. My daily commute is close to 30 miles one way. About once a month I have had one sort of exhaust problem or another.
In march I noticed the engine/exhaust noise was different. Discovered a hair-line crack right up in the very first bend of the exhaust pipe next to the head. Convinced the local AAA muffler shop to touch it up with arc welder with out even taking the pipe off.
In April it did the same thing just slightly different place on the pipe. (Must be the poorest grade steel possible in that pipe.
In may I was riding along came to a red light. When the light turned green 'poof' the whole darn pipe separated itself from the adapter that holds it to the head.
Took the pieces by the same AAA and they put it back together and was back on the road in short order.
Yesterday I stated hearing a little extra hiss in the exhaust. Thinking I had another hair line crack I went ahead and took the whole muffler off. I carefully examined it and all the welds 'looked' ok. Put it back on and put as much 'english' on the exhaust nuts as I dared. I don't hear the extra hiss any more but putting a towel over the exhaust pipe exit does NOT cause the engine to die. I know a towel is NOT air tight. But I don't think I am 100% exhaust leak free either. I think I need to get a new exhaust gasket and replace the one I have been reusing over and over again. I don't think I am leaking enough at this time to cause any engine problems. (You can't hear the extra hiss, or different sound to the exhaust).
Just in my opinion if the exhaust were 100% sealed it should die if you block the end of the pipe with a towel.
Any of you have similar experience? Is there any kind of sealant that is ok to use in addition to the exhaust gasket ?
In march I noticed the engine/exhaust noise was different. Discovered a hair-line crack right up in the very first bend of the exhaust pipe next to the head. Convinced the local AAA muffler shop to touch it up with arc welder with out even taking the pipe off.
In April it did the same thing just slightly different place on the pipe. (Must be the poorest grade steel possible in that pipe.
In may I was riding along came to a red light. When the light turned green 'poof' the whole darn pipe separated itself from the adapter that holds it to the head.
Took the pieces by the same AAA and they put it back together and was back on the road in short order.
Yesterday I stated hearing a little extra hiss in the exhaust. Thinking I had another hair line crack I went ahead and took the whole muffler off. I carefully examined it and all the welds 'looked' ok. Put it back on and put as much 'english' on the exhaust nuts as I dared. I don't hear the extra hiss any more but putting a towel over the exhaust pipe exit does NOT cause the engine to die. I know a towel is NOT air tight. But I don't think I am 100% exhaust leak free either. I think I need to get a new exhaust gasket and replace the one I have been reusing over and over again. I don't think I am leaking enough at this time to cause any engine problems. (You can't hear the extra hiss, or different sound to the exhaust).
Just in my opinion if the exhaust were 100% sealed it should die if you block the end of the pipe with a towel.
Any of you have similar experience? Is there any kind of sealant that is ok to use in addition to the exhaust gasket ?
