Should a decat sit like this?

[Pep]

Was under the car today, noticed a slight gap between the decat and manifold:

it's blowing slightly from both ends of the decat too, is it just seated slightly incorrectly and will be rectified by refitting?

Was only fitted a few months ago proffesionally with a new mani>cat fitting kit.

 

[GazM]

iirc it looks like mine (which is fine). They can be a 'mare to seal properly - especialy if the pipe doesn't have a slight bend in it, it might be worth taking it off to check the gasket is sitting properly and not trapped, bit of exhaust paste always works a treat too

 

[Pep]

Cheers Gaz.

I'll get it checked when i get it serviced and my new exhaust fitted.
When I was under the car revving, there was enough of a gap for some condensation to come out of the gap which isnt good news im guessing, bubbled out quite a bit.

 

[clio_luke]

yeah its normal for it to sit like that.
as said above, pain in the ass to get sealed tight.

 

[caister]

Try some high temperature silicone sealant to seal it. You can get it from halfords. Exhaust paste tends to break up and fall out whereas the silicone will flex a little.

 

[Bluebeard]

In the 14 months I had mine, it never EVER sealed properly. Proper pain in the ass.

Was a Ktec item. (Or janspeed iirc)

 

[fossie]

Just undo the bolts, slap some high temp sealant in the join and connect back up.... the joins for the bolts should sit flush imo, could be wrong like

 

[Pep]

Cool, makes me feel better about it, thanks for the replies.
It's a Ktec decat.

fossie, yeah is a bit, not loads though.
although not sure if it would seal better once warm as the car and exhaust was cold when i checked it for blowing.

 

[GazM]

yeah i had condensation the 1st time my decat was fitted, definatly not sealed then plus it was louder (which i thought was normal at the time). Good look trying to seal it, loads of paste helps though, think it took me 3 attempts to get mine right

 

[Andyman]

That area is designed for movement and to flex hence the gap. Your not meant to seal it. If you do you run the risk of ''packing it out'' and making the fit as a whole 10 times worse.

As long as its not physically blowing its fine.

 

[SBV116]

They do my head in!!! i bet 95% of 182's that come in have condensation coming out of that gap!!

 

[Puressence]

ended up tig welding mine dreading mot time when ive got to take it off

 

[chrispy.clio]

This is my decat.

 

[Pep]

Cheers Chrispy, im happier now!
Just waiting for my exhaust now!

 

[iimushroomzii]

Aslong as its not leaking, its fine

 

[Henry]

already all been said but think it's normal - the gap's just occupied by the mesh ring; if it were bolted up 'tight', the ring wouldn't be doing its job. can't use sealants either, as it's a flexible joint

 

[Coby.]

You using different bolts fella?

 

[sideways danny]

already all been said but think it's normal - the gap's just occupied by the mesh ring; if it were bolted up 'tight', the ring wouldn't be doing its job. can't use sealants either, as it's a flexible joint

100% correct. see a lot that are very worn and there's very little gap

 

[franx]

^^ this one looks like a VERY good fit compared to how mine sits..... mine is'nt blowing (yet)