Tim Smith Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 My 1.6k SS has a Caterham 4 into 1 competition exhaust which consists of the 4 headers coming into a collector which then connects to the silencer section. The problem is that only 2 of the headers are held into the collector by bolts, the other 2 just slide into the collector and rattle annoyingly, particularly at idle and on the over-run. Does anyone know a simple heat resistant fix, something like the equivalent of plumber's tape that would stop the headers rattling inside the collector? Exhaust bandage is too thick and I don't want to create some monstrosity held together with jubilee clips. All cunning ideas gratefully received. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prs Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Try silicone sealant. I used it on my Powerspeed which has no clips at all holding the 4 headers to the collector and it's been fine, covered about 1500mls since fitting. This info was given from Powerspeed themselves. Phil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Smith Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 Silicone sealant as in the stuff around the bath? Doesn't it just burn to a crisp or is there some special exhaust fixing grade that I am unaware of? Sounds good if it works though and well within my limited mechanical skills. Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Gun Gum as used by exhaust fitters is heat resistant. I would imagine that silicone would burn. It might still seal the gap though, even following carbonisation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hughes Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Finally the secrets of Alchemy have been found Silicon + exhaust heat + liberal amounts of blatting = carbon *smile* *smile* John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Field Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Tim, I have the same arrangement on my XFlow, and have just had a look at it. Although the two unbolted pipes are a slide fit, they are pushed fully home against the inside of the collector, and as a result do not rattle. Is it possible for you to push the pipes closer together, possibly by adjusting the bolt alignment on the pipes or at the exhaust end 🤔 terry Trying to get out of the garage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Rich_Bernie Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 You can get a silicone sealant which is OK at higher temperatures. I bought a tube in Halfords. The first time I tired to seal the exhaust on my old car I used gun gum, which (a) didn't work for long and (B) made it a pig to dismantle. The Silicone (orange coloured stuff) seems to do the job. Bathroom sealant probably won't stand the heat. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Richards. Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Silicon sealant WILL stand the heat (and it's cheap and easy). I know it sounds odd, but it should be ideal. I've used it on a number of occasions to seal exhaust manifolds direct to the cylinder head. Paul R. C7PPR K series that starts when hot!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul McKenzie Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Paul is correct about standard bathroom silicone sealant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 I had similar annoying noise after getting my 4-2-1 fitted. Are you absolutely sure that rattle is coming from collector? My flatmate and I spend about an hour messing about to finally discover it was the engine mount, even though I had orignially put it down to the interference fit between the primaries and the secondaries. Replacing the engine mount fixed the problem. C Charlie'n'Kermit The plan is: there is no plan S5EVN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allen Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Think you will find Dow Corning Flue Sealant, from your local plumbing and heating shop, will do a better ans longer lasting job. Not much more expensive than silicone sealant, comes in the same size tube to fit the standard aplicator gun. Had a similar problem with the lower 2 pipes in my 4 into 1 collector, this solved it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Smith Posted April 4, 2003 Author Share Posted April 4, 2003 It's definitely the collector that rattles, I wedged the headers with whittled down matchsticks last weekend and went for a quick test drive - no rattles. Unfortunately the matchsticks fell out so a more permanent fix was required! Thanks chaps will get down to B + Q tomorrow and buy some silicon sealant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Hmmmm. Alchemy, huh? RTV 'Silicone' sealant has plenty of carbon atoms in it as it is a reinforced polymer of the organopolysiloxane family (the wonders of Google) It doesn't have a whole lot of 'silicon' in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyrone Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Tim, When you go to B&Q don't buy any of the acetic curing silicones. If it doesn't tell you on the tube then the smell is a bit of a giveaway (vinegar). I know everyone reckons it is not a problem buying off the shelf DIY silicones but I use the stuff all the time in construction. Personally, I would go for Dow Corning 3-0105 or 3-0115 Automotive Sealant one part (single tube) alkoxy cure powertrain selants. 0115 is also described as non corrosive. Failing that, don't whittle down the matches so much Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Hughes Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 B*gger and I thought someone had found the secret *smile* *smile* Still would have been better if the primaries had turned to gold and not just a goldish sort of lustre *smile* John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheds Moderator Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Alchemy eh? My 7 will already convert large amounts of gold into fresh air, perhaps if I drive it backwards the process will work in reverse! 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted April 4, 2003 Share Posted April 4, 2003 Hi Tim Well I tried everything none last forever so mine has a very slim stainless steel jubilee clip around all 4 pipes. The big problem is that the longer they rattle the bigger the diameter gets in the 4:1 collectors. Remember mine are 14 years old. My solution last year was to swage out the ends of the downpipes. This has worked but one year on they do need resealing. I heated the ends of the down pipes to cherry red then used the wrong end of a socket that was very slightly bigger than the internal diameter of the down pipes. They are now very tight and the Holts exhaust past needed is just a small smear. The only downside is they are a bit of a pig to get apart. Just really takes a bit of patience and levering the whole lot up and down say 20 times. Still that's a lot better than it blowing every 500 miles or buying a new set. If you do this make sure its a little at a time and maintain the heat or the socket will get stuck in the down pipe. . So its a 2 person job. Having said this one stuck but heating the pipe and quenching the socket freed it. So be very careful ❗ ❗ ❗. You can not see the swage's as they are in the 4:1 collector box. I have seen a few with extra bits welded on and springs the owners claim this works but looking at the black exhaust marks on the pipes I have reservations. I must say others that have gained these springs seem fine. ❗ 'Can you hear me running' ......... OH YES and its music to my ears 😬 😬 😬 1988 200 bhp, 146 ft lbs, 1700cc Cosworth BD? on Weber's with Brooklands and Clamshell wings, Freestyle Motorsport suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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