Exhaust Leak in Stock System, req advice (with big pics)
#1
I am the stig.
Thread Starter
Exhaust Leak in Stock System, req advice (with big pics)
87 N/A Luxury model, 135k mi, stock exhast system.
I noticed an exhaust leak a while ago and figured I'd get around to fixing it today. Previously, to determine where the exhaust leak was, I ran my hand underneath the exhaust system with the car running. Between the Main Cat and Precat #2, I could feel air coming out to match the RPM and low RPM cold stuttering. I also noticed there was a hole in the heat sheild underneath the joint between the Precat #2 and Main Cat.
I ordered 2 exhaust gaskets from Mazdatrix and pulled everything apart today.
I first replaced the Main Cat to Y-Pipe gasket, then moved on to the Precat 2 to Main Cat gasket. I couldn't get the bolts off so I pulled the whole thing between the Exhaust manifold and the Y-Pipe. With the cats out of the car, it's nice and easy to get a 6' cheater bar on it.
I cleaned everything up with a steel brush, then some steel wool, and I was planning to bolt it back together and reinstall it tomorrow. Before I do, I figured I'd let you guys have a look at some of the pictures and make any suggestions. I'm not really sure what a 20 year old exhaust system should look like, so please have a look at the pictures for anything out of the ordinary.
I'm replacing the gaskets between the (Y-Pipe and Main Cat) and between the (Main Cat and Precat 2). I also cleaned the open mating surfaces with a steel brush and steel wool. I was going to put it back together with some anti-seize on the bolts.
Also I'd kinda like to get new bolts, if easy enough.
Edit: Where does the Precat 2 hanger hook to? I didn't see anywhere on my car... the whole thing was just held up between the Y-Pipe and Exhaust manifold. (Possible cause of the problem?)
Thanks!
I noticed an exhaust leak a while ago and figured I'd get around to fixing it today. Previously, to determine where the exhaust leak was, I ran my hand underneath the exhaust system with the car running. Between the Main Cat and Precat #2, I could feel air coming out to match the RPM and low RPM cold stuttering. I also noticed there was a hole in the heat sheild underneath the joint between the Precat #2 and Main Cat.
I ordered 2 exhaust gaskets from Mazdatrix and pulled everything apart today.
I first replaced the Main Cat to Y-Pipe gasket, then moved on to the Precat 2 to Main Cat gasket. I couldn't get the bolts off so I pulled the whole thing between the Exhaust manifold and the Y-Pipe. With the cats out of the car, it's nice and easy to get a 6' cheater bar on it.
I cleaned everything up with a steel brush, then some steel wool, and I was planning to bolt it back together and reinstall it tomorrow. Before I do, I figured I'd let you guys have a look at some of the pictures and make any suggestions. I'm not really sure what a 20 year old exhaust system should look like, so please have a look at the pictures for anything out of the ordinary.
I'm replacing the gaskets between the (Y-Pipe and Main Cat) and between the (Main Cat and Precat 2). I also cleaned the open mating surfaces with a steel brush and steel wool. I was going to put it back together with some anti-seize on the bolts.
Also I'd kinda like to get new bolts, if easy enough.
Edit: Where does the Precat 2 hanger hook to? I didn't see anywhere on my car... the whole thing was just held up between the Y-Pipe and Exhaust manifold. (Possible cause of the problem?)
Thanks!
#3
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Also a header would get rid of those pre-cats. Alternatively to the pre-cats, you can get a "downpipe" from racingbeat and i think theres another compant that makes one. I forget who made the one that was on my car.
#6
I am the stig.
Thread Starter
I gotta have it CA emissions legal, so there has to be a cat in there somewhere.
I was thinking replacing the exhaust with an aftermarket setup, but I don't really want to spend the money right now.
I forgot about the Bonez products. I was reading on http://rx7.com/store/rx7/fcexhaust.html that their presilencer / hiflow cat bolt up in place of the stock cats. (Which is exactly what you guys suggested.)
Also I don't want to spend too much on this car, since there's the whole argument about "How to get more power out of a NA" which always results in "Buy a turbo car."
I think for now I'll stick the stocker back in there, but if it pisses me off in the future, I'll go with the bonez system.
Thanks guys!
I was thinking replacing the exhaust with an aftermarket setup, but I don't really want to spend the money right now.
I forgot about the Bonez products. I was reading on http://rx7.com/store/rx7/fcexhaust.html that their presilencer / hiflow cat bolt up in place of the stock cats. (Which is exactly what you guys suggested.)
Also I don't want to spend too much on this car, since there's the whole argument about "How to get more power out of a NA" which always results in "Buy a turbo car."
I think for now I'll stick the stocker back in there, but if it pisses me off in the future, I'll go with the bonez system.
Thanks guys!
#7
I am the stig.
Thread Starter
Well, I put everything back together and it still leaks. After a little more inspection, it looks like there's a hole in the front right corner of the main cat, with exhaust blasting out of it.
F**K.
Can you get that welded shut, or would that do more damage than good?
F**K.
Can you get that welded shut, or would that do more damage than good?
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immanuel__7
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09-05-15 10:23 AM