Exhaust pipe sealant

[Uncle Gump]

I finally have time and the weather seems like it will cooperate.

I have a MRBP stainless exhaust and it came with band clamps. I've never had much luck with them not leaking. I typically do a smear of exhaust putty when assembling the joints. I've seen a lot of people recommending high temp RTV and swear by it. I'd be tempted to just use regular exhaust clamps but the hangers get installed on the band clamp bolt.

I only want to do this once... thoughts/experience on sealers?

 

[19Walt93]

I've never used any sealer, just clamps or weld. U bolt clamps can be overtightened and cause leaks, that practically didn't happen when clamps were only 5/16 instead of 3/8. If you're happy with the quality of the exhaust, I'd use the clamps they sent.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I never used sealer with the standard muffler clamps either. Just with these band clamps. I've also only done band clamps a couple times... but when I did they would leak. I'm past the window to send it back... and that isn't really what I want to do anyway.

I'm probably over thinking this... but I'm getting to old to have any desire to fool around with leaks.

 

[mikkelstuff]

I found RTV to work quite well and that was just standard clear caulk - nothing special.

 

[Roert42]

The muffler looks like it’s setup for slip joints, why not just use some u bolt clamps?

I’m sure the hangers would still fit.
Or weld the whole thing up.

 

[Uncle Gump]

The muffler looks like it’s setup for slip joints, why not just use some u bolt clamps?

I’m sure the hangers would still fit.
Or weld the whole thing up.

They're slip joints... and fit really good.

 

[gaz]

@Uncle Gump ,
I have been using band clamps on every exhaust I've ever set up (never had a welder) without a sealant; I did coat the sealing surfaces with WD-40, just to help them slide easier. I have not had one leak yet; I build my 1st in 1995 on my Ranger, all stainless, it is now as it was then.

The 3" wide band clamps come on 2 styles butt-joint and lap joint. They sell sets of pairs on Amazon and The Walmart.com

 

[bobbywalter]

that system is built for those band clamps. do not u bolt that or you will destroy it. lap joint and sizing can be tricky though. that may have been why you have had problems in the past...using sealer on a properly fitted slip joint will usually cause problems.

 

[19Walt93]

That's good looking stuff, I'd use the clamps they sent before doing something different. If you decide to use U bolt clamps, be careful not to overtighten them.

 

[Blmpkn]

I've always had good luck with band clamps.. sometimes they might not be totally tight and will allow for seepage of condensation but never enough where there's an audible leak or one you could feel by putting your hand up to it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

We use band clamps all the time at work without issue.

In a previous life we used this to seal borderline bad but not available to replace exhaust manifolds with good success.

https://www.autozone.com/emission-control-and-exhaust/exhaust-repair/p/walker-exhaust-sealing-compound-5oz/696139_0_0