Unable to stop exhaust leak on clamp band

[LSaupe]

O.K. guys, I am at wits end here. I have a 1997 787 Challenger and cannot get this dang band clamp to seal on the expansion chamber.

I have replaced the copper seal and the clamp and still leaks (exhaust + water). Surfaces on the pipes look good. It is blowing right out the clamp and the clamp is pulled down real well.

Have any of you run across this before?

Larry S.

 

[moosehead]

maybe the system is so constrained elsewhere it is being forced out of the weakest link? possibly a breach elsewhere? can you post a photo?

 

[sunbaby69]

make sure pipes are aligned squarely., best to loosed other exhaust mounting bolts, then install clamp, then re-tighten other bolts. could use some RTV exhaust sealant as well

 

[LSaupe]

I tried the lossen everything last night and align and tighten the clamp. Also used a generoud amount of Ultra Black. I will post a few pics in a few.

 

[LSaupe]

Here are a few pics. Now sure it it shows much. Going to run a run after the re-seal last night, then can get some shots with the clamp off.

Does it look like it is pulled down far enough (I.e. indication of non-properly mated surfaces)?

 

[sunbaby69]

once its sealed together, don't pull clamp off!
In fact, when we take ski apart at the shop for engine work which requires exhaust pipe removal, we dont split that seal or remove the clamp-unless of course thats what the problem is. We'd always leave the 2 halves of pipe together unless necessary to disassemble..