Hey, just installed a new megan header, used to donut gasket from the stock header and fut it on but the bolts will not tighten all the way, is there supposed to be a gap between the pipe running to the exhaust and the header. Are you supposed to see the donut gasket?? Please help, car show on sat!!!!!!

moved

tighten as much as possible. there will be a gap. try starting it up. if you hear loud blotty sounds then tighten more. if it sounds fine congrats you have a correctly installed header.

Listen this is what you want to do if you are having trouble with it Go to any hardwear store and ask for Mystilce jt-6 Hi temp grease then put the grease around the donut and slide it on the header you will notice it wont go all the way whne you tighten the screws and i hope your using stocks ones to then if you have an inpacked wrench then tighten it then youll be fint youll hear a leaking noise but it will go away when you drive the car the donut will set or be in place and you shouldnt have a problem remember to tighten the top hearder bolts when you drive about 100 miles well i hope i helped you

Did you put the "donut" on right. When I installed my header, I put the ring on wrong the first time, resulting in the bolts not getting tight enough.

Jason

how big would you say the gap is, mine seems to be 1-3 cms

i tried driving it to and it seemed fine, a little smoke at first but i think that was just the crap burnin off inside it

it's all good. 1-3 cms is probably less than mine. lol. you probably tightened them more than i. as long as noo farting and horrible sounds are coming out you are all good.

just a quick simple question but did you reuse the donut gasket from the stock header?? I strongly believe against re-using gaskets :no:

reusing the thick donut gasket is not a problem, now if it was a thin one, than yes you can wave the finger. In this case, if there is a gap; do not try to worry about it because once the exhaust goes on, it will push the gasket into place. :D

just a quick simple question but did you reuse the donut gasket from the stock header?? I strongly believe against re-using gaskets :no:

I'm in the same boat as Vito, so to speak. I never try to re-use a gasket, unless obsolutely necessary.

reusing the thick donut gasket is not a problem, now if it was a thin one, than yes you can wave the finger. In this case, if there is a gap; do not try to worry about it because once the exhaust goes on, it will push the gasket into place. :D

I gotta disagree...im sure that thing gets decently hot and after a while probly gets a lil distorted...the new gasket costs like $25...wort it IMO to save you headaches in the long run if any leaks occur especially if you spend upwards of $250 for a DC sports header...whats another $25 for safety purposes.

Plus the gasket has already served its purpose and has been "crushed" to form a seal. The re-used gasket may not be able to "crush" any further and leaks will occur.

Too have exhaust gases "push the gasket into place" means that there isn't a proper sel and a leak will occur.

But then again, I'm no expert and slept at a Holiday Inn last night.

reusing the thick donut gasket is not a problem, now if it was a thin one, than yes you can wave the finger. In this case, if there is a gap; do not try to worry about it because once the exhaust goes on, it will push the gasket into place. :D

I gotta disagree...im sure that thing gets decently hot and after a while probly gets a lil distorted...the new gasket costs like $25...wort it IMO to save you headaches in the long run if any leaks occur especially if you spend upwards of $250 for a DC sports header...whats another $25 for safety purposes.

Dude that donut gasket is $48.00 special order from the dealer here in norcal. I just spent $250 bucks and I am out of cash. I am all for doing it right, but dang it if scion owners are not patient about gettin their cars done the same day. :D I never was able to sell those things to header customers. :( I do see your point though Simplyscion, but some people just don't want to spend the extra money.

Also the exhaust pushing the gasket to the right seal is not a problem. Of course when I install headers, the gasket always goes on properly. Have never had any return customers with header leaks.

No need to replace the exhaust donut gasket unless it is physically damaged. It is a wedge fit and does not crush unless installed improperly or tightened too much. If when removing the factory exhaust header you notice that the gasket is dented or has a ring worn into it, then you should replace it, if not then you will be fine using it again.

Unless you know what you are talking about, not just an opinion, then don't post as fact. The donut gaskets are a wedge fit and are fine to reuse.

But then again, I'm no expert and slept at a Holiday Inn last night.

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Dude that donut gasket is $48.00 special order from the dealer here in norcal. I just spent $250 bucks and I am out of cash. I am all for doing it right, but dang it if scion owners are not patient about gettin their cars done the same day. I never was able to sell those things to header customers. I do see your point though Simplyscion, but some people just don't want to spend the extra money.
Also the exhaust pushing the gasket to the right seal is not a problem. Of course when I install headers, the gasket always goes on properly. Have never had any return customers with header leaks.
Sorry about the gasket price...forgot about my dealer cost :doh:
Hey, i guess its up to them wether or not they wanna get the gasket...maybe you should offer them the choice and just have one or two lying around the shop if you dont already. I know if I was coming to get a header I would definitely wanna change it up. Good luck w/ your future installs...hopefully no leaks :bow:

No need to replace the exhaust donut gasket unless it is physically damaged. It is a wedge fit and does not crush unless installed improperly or tightened too much. If when removing the factory exhaust header you notice that the gasket is dented or has a ring worn into it, then you should replace it, if not then you will be fine using it again.

Unless you know what you are talking about, not just an opinion, then don't post as fact. The donut gaskets are a wedge fit and are fine to reuse.

So your saying that the exhaust heat wont alter the gasket one bit?? The whole point of a gasket is to make a seal correct? So what happens when you break that seal...what happens is your never gonna get that perfect seal ever again and probly in time would result in exhaust leaks...but I guess I dont really know what Im talking about so I will stop posting now :rofl:

One more note...I don't think they are talking about the exhaust "gases" pushing the gasket into place, I think they are refering to the exhaust "pipe" or flange....or whatever it is where the two peices join together. When you tightren it up, the the two peices being squeezed together are what push the gasket, not hot air. LOL

So your saying that the exhaust heat wont alter the gasket one bit?? The whole point of a gasket is to make a seal correct? So what happens when you break that seal...what happens is your never gonna get that perfect seal ever again and probly in time would result in exhaust leaks...but I guess I dont really know what Im talking about so I will stop posting now :rofl:

Like you said, stop posting. The gasket is metal and ceramic, so unless your exhaust gets hot enough to melt the exhaust pipe itself, the gasket should never have an issue. It's a wedge seal which puts very little actual pressure on any surface and is designed for flex movement, which means it won't wear out and will reseal itself if it moves, which it does every time your motor/exhaust moves. So removing it and putting it back on hurts it as much as starting your car or accelerating.

The only time the gasket can be damaged is if it is over or under tightened. Overtightening it will cause a dent in the wedge surface and it will lose it's seal as it moves during normal driving. Undertightening will cause exhaust blow-by which will ruin the wedge surface melting away the rough edges of the surface and building carbon deposits, making a high/low surface on the wedge that will lose more and more sealing cabaility as time goes on.


Consider yourselves schooled.

end of thread.

You can reuse your gaskets while I will pay the $25 for a new one while im sure a lot of people out there would agree w/ me...I guess to each is own :yawn:

How about you both pay me 25.00 and I will kick both of you in the nutts 3 times till ya'll can get your shi* together. GOSHHH fighting over a donut WWWOWWW that's funny.
Simplyscion paypal the 25.00 and consider the nut bashing done.

The problem sounds like you got the bolts not seated correctly. If you look at the bolts with the springs, the bolts are tapered. If they are not seated properly, the spring will not compress properly and the 2 pieces will not close up.

duh

had my neighbor look at it, he owns a mechanic shop and told me i had it too tight, but he gave me the seal of approval and told be i did a good job, so i'm done, header finished, never to do another!!!

thanks for all your help and blabbering you guys, really appreciate it.

so the only place to get the gasket is from the dealer?

so the only place to get the gasket is from the dealer?

I am sorry to say, "Yes" I have been trying to match it up aftermarket wise and still have not found an exact match yet. :(

But I am still looking. :D

what is the risk if the heade is installed wrong or with some gap?

Do you guys ever check on ROCKAUTO?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1431767&parttype=5424&a=FRc1431767k1021097

2004 SCION XB 1.5L 1497cc L4 FI [1NZFE] : Exhaust : Exhaust Manifold Gasket
FEL-PRO Part # MS96527
Dual Overhead Camshaft Engine
$6.39

I just picked it up but I am not sure what the donut is described as:
Is this the FEL-PRO version of the donut?

FEL-PRO Part # 61124
Dual Overhead Camshaft Engine; Ring $7.67


Really really cheap