Fix Exaust leak with putty?

Hey guys. I have a leak in my exaust manifold. I watched a video that showed you how to check for the leak using a shop vac and soap and water. I’m going to do that but I had a tech already tell me that I have one. The video also showed you how to fix the leak using putty. Has anyone done this with success? A new manifold would cost me about $1600 with labor. I live in California. Thanks!

 

Itd be a bandaid, if the manifold is cracked only real fixes are replacing or welding depending on the situation

 

What if it’s just a leak at the flange? I can’t see any cracks

 

Is the flange gasketed? My need a new gasket

 

I will check

 

Yes the flange has a gasket and yes you can use putty, they make a certain kind of putty that cures with heat for exhaust.

 

Awesome! Do you know if the soap and water method is safe?

 

Never heard of that, usually you can feel it with your hand.

Which side is it leaking?

 

It’s leaking at the flange both pre and post cat on the passenger side. I haven’t been able to find any leaks at the manifold gasket though

 

I have leaks at a couple flanges on my 09 as well. I plan on doing the same thing.

 

Your leaks should be an easy fix for any muffler shop.

 

on my 06 exhaust flange before the cat rotted A way to almost nothing so I had my buddy make a new flange to go behind the exhaust flange and used a new y pipe With a new gasket to seal the joint

 

if that is your problem you can get a hinged flange to go behind the bad flange if you go that route get the flat hinge Not the round one with flatten ends

 

Is that because you didn’t want to take apart the original flange because it was so rusted? Did you leave the original flange in place?

 

Would I need to cut the exaust piping behind the flange to install the new flange? Sorry, never done any exaust work before.

 

I used to the putty stuff which is actually a metallic paste. I think it actually worked but I’ll take it to a shop if it doesn’t. Just trying to avoid buying a new manifold.

 

The flange that rotted is on the exhaust manifold,
only other choice is to replace it.

yea we just sandwiched the rusted part between.

 

No you can get a hinged flange to do what we did, the flange is welded to the exhaust manifold and the other is welded to the cat.

 

I bought a new y-pipe cause the cat is part of it and did the flange thing cause I didn't want to mess with buying new manifold and hoping all the bolts come out of head without breaking.

 

If you go on rockauto they have the gaskets that you need for the y-pipe connections.
And the spring bolts for the connection after the y where the single pipe goes to the muffler.