THIS is why you dont use RTV

LostSol

TL;DR Dont use RTV for header to TP/HFC connection, it WILL leak.


So I got some Resonated Test Pipes from someone on the forum, brought them to my favorite shop (at the time) to have them installed (I didnt want to deal with the demon bolt). The shop calls me a few hours later to ask if I brought gaskets for the header flange, and I said that the RTPs didnt come with them. The guy from the shop said that they would use either RTV or fabricate a gasket, and I told them either one would be fine as long as it doesnt ever leak.

I picked the car up and loved the new louder, deeper sound and extra HP. However, I began to notice that my car had a loud HISS whenever I was decelerating. I rode in a friends Z who had Long Tube Headers, and his had a similar, albeit less loud hiss. It got louder and more frequent until I finally got under the car to see that the shop had used only RTV, and that it was completely blown out. They have only been on for 3 months.

I ordered Z1's metal gaskets on Black Friday (see here: Z1 Metal HR/VHR Manifold 3 Bolt Gaskets) and finally got the chance to install them today.

Here is the obivous leakage:



So at the end of the day, if you are going to do anything with headers, test pipes, or HFC's, dont be cheap, spend the extra $40 and get gaskets so you only have to do it once.

__________________

luigi90210

that no where near enough RTV to seal the header and i bet the shop didnt let the RTV dry properly before giving it back to you(it needs 2-3 hours to dry properly)

im using RTV to replace a gasket that burnt up and im not leaking

at the end of the day, don't let someone else work on your car, you're just asking for something to go wrong

__________________
SOLD 370z
New Car:classified
DD:2011 Mini Cooper S stock

Verda7junior

Nissan uses metal exhaust gaskets on the car from the factory because they work best. Using RTV or a metallic cardboard style gasket does not provide the same heat resistance or durability as the OEM style metal gaskets.

__________________
Red 2012 370Z Base Sport 7AT, ExoticSpeed CBE, 13.0@109(sold) Q50RS400AWD 12.2@116 JB1 CBE

LostSol

luigi - You can tell they used a good amount, but it had all blown out, and most of it was stuck on the header side hence why this pic looks like there is none

verda - the factory components use a donut style gasket, which most aftermarket ones dont. I was just sharing an experience with a shop as well as giving a word of advice for those who might try to save a few bucks.

__________________

luigi90210

OEM dont have gaskets at all on the cats, just FIY



it looks like it was globbed on in some places and it wasnt spread evenly throughout the header
do you know which RTV they used? and do you know if they allowed it to dry properly before letting you drive it away?

like i said i have no problems with RTV on my header and test pipe(i used RTV ultra copper)

__________________
SOLD 370z
New Car:classified
DD:2011 Mini Cooper S stock

Verda7junior

I only have a cat back on mine so far so I know that all of the factory gaskets for CBE are flat stamped metal gaskets for all of the 2 bolt flanges. But I haven't yet had the front of the cats disconnected. So next year when I get Motordyne ART test pipes I'll also be ordering the metal 3 bolt flange gaskets from Z1 to connect the test pipes to the exhaust manifold with no leaks.

__________________
Red 2012 370Z Base Sport 7AT, ExoticSpeed CBE, 13.0@109(sold) Q50RS400AWD 12.2@116 JB1 CBE

synolimit

Funny my car says other wise.

__________________
13 370z-

Stino

I purchased these from Z1 Motorsports for my HFC install. They worked as expected. Ahh ... just read the last sentence on your post. These will work great!

Z1 Metal HR/VHR Manifold 3 Bolt Gaskets

__________________
10 370Z Sport|Berk CBE & HFC|NISMO R-TUNE CAI|Z1 Oil & PS Coolers|Mishimoto Radiator|UpRev|Nismo S-Tune|SEIBON Spoiler|Eibach Sways, Springs, Spacers|SPC Camber|RJM Clutch Pedal|Enkei Wheels|StopTech Rotors & Pads|SS Brake/Clutch Lines|Alpine W900BT, PDX5, Rear Camera, Boston SR60, S35 & 10" G3 Sub|3M Ceramic Tint

1slow370

the factory cat has a stamped two bolt gasket on the bottom, and a stainless o-ring on the front. to anyone who says they didn't have rear gaskets, either they were removed already or were stuck to the pipe and you didn't notice.

__________________
ANSWER PRICE LIST
Answers - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - $0.75
Answers (requiring thought) - - - - $1.25
Answers (correct) - - - - - - - - - - $12.50

6MT

The colour of that RTV tells me it's a high temp for water or oil. If it was the correct stuff, if would look copper coloured, not red. Still, I agree with the OP, use a gasket!

__________________
Andrew

2009 370Z Sport/Touring 6MT sold
2013 Honda Civic Si coupe D/D

Boosted Performance

I have had no issues with red RTV when it comes to sealing exhaust flanges, even on boosted cars where the exhaust back pressure before the turbo can reach 20+psi. I do however let it sit overnight every time I use it. I think this is very important.

With the turbo kits I use Berk Technologies gaskets, rated to 2000 deg F. These have worked great when installed properly.

__________________
750WHP starting @ $7,500 to the door
FOR DETAILS VISIT: http://www.the370z.com/members/boosted-performance.html
FB: https://www.facebook.com/Boosted-Per...6303179791462/
IG @boostedperformanceyeg

DEpointfive0

Ummmmmm... Yeah they do... How else does it seal?



And my bet is that the RTV didn't have time to harden. Red RTV sets stronger than the copper stuff too from what I've been told

__________________
Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from?

LostSol

Regardless of if RTV "can" work, the metal gaskets from Z1 WILL work and aren't so expensive that people should cheap out. Just my 2 cents.

__________________

DEpointfive0

I agree, but before Z1 had theirs out, RTV was a good second choice

__________________
Do YOU want to know what/where I got my username from?

synolimit

Aren't the directions put in on, tighten only a little, wait a few hours, then tighten to spec. After 24hrs its gtg. I can't see a shop doing this!

__________________
13 370z-