The small (surface) crack was in the donut gasket on the outlet end of the converter, my leak was at the aluminum (flat) gasket at the input end of the converter.
Thanks for the suggestion. See my post above for the resolution to the problem.
Awesome! Great to see you figured it out.
__________________ Team Solstice 2008
Ordered 11/12/05
Black, manual trans, Premium package, power package, convenience package, floor mats, AC, XM radio, LSD, and Polished Wheels Produced 6/1! VIN:18718
Mods: Fujita CAI, Stubbie Attenna, Lil Chromies, Third Brake Overlay, 35% Tint. Solo Headers, Solo Exhaust.
Without this forum, I would never have known about this great header and cat.
Without this forum, I would never have had the gumption to attempt a self-install.
Without this forum, I would have panicked more than I did this morining.
Without this forum, I would not have too very many people beyond my immediate family (particularly my VERY patient wife) who would put up mith my Sol-obsession!
I have been offering prayers of thanksgiving all day for the resolution of this install/repair and I will continue to do so. Sitting in the repair shop this morning, I realized I had begun to take too many things for granted. I will try to not do so in future!
I hope everyone has a nice weekend. I hope to get out and drive in the morning, Lord willing!
--Chemist (Even at 47, I can learn (or perhaps RE-learn to be grateful.)
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
Seriously Byron, you almost have me convinced to try some of these things myself. Even if I do not I really enjoy reading about your growing confidence with working on a car that essentially runs perfect.
I just am not there yet, but certainly am envious.
Byron,
Great news that everyting worked out. It's surprising how much we (all of us ) do take for granted. Somethimes it's the little things that remind up how lucky we are with the big things. Have fun driving this weekend. I can't wait to see the two of you and your wonderful car in Nashville.
__________________
AKA xmm
First 1000 Order VIN # 000218 - Time Stamp 2:35:20 DEEP with Steel/Sand leather,
70,000+ miles on the odo - Silver side stripes - My wife named my car "Nittany" after Penn State, my Alma Mater
Reborn at the factory at 57,100 miles Proud Member - ICoD EHDoR&M WPASC
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ NASSOA
Founding Member #41
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "SHE'S MARRIED!!!"
Seriously Byron, you almost have me convinced to try some of these things myself. Even if I do not I really enjoy reading about your growing confidence with working on a car that essentially runs perfect.
I just am not there yet, but certainly am envious.
Chuck
Chuck,
Please do take a couple of things from my experience: (1) things may happen that you don't plan on, so plan on getting help if you need it! I had a young, but well trained mechanic as my helper, so I am very confident that we did the initial install by spec. The bolt was simply faulty. After the initial shock, I knew I had a reputable professional shop less than a ile from m house, so that all would be well regardless.
To be honest, this event has both bolstered and shaken my confidence. I will no doubt do other mods in the future, but I'll approach them with a bit more caution and prep!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex-Miata Man
Byron,
Great news that everyting worked out. It's surprising how much we (all of us ) do take for granted. Somethimes it's the little things that remind up how lucky we are with the big things. Have fun driving this weekend. I can't wait to see the two of you and your wonderful car in Nashville.
XMM,
Thanks for your kind words. I know that there is a bigger good to come from these things, some of which I may see and others I may not. My faith is that God will work in/through this (as He does in all things!). We are very much looking forward to seeing you in Nashville as well.
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
Location: The avatar shows my motivation to work .... Work takes place in Houston, Republic of Texas .... Motivation takes place in CA, NV, UT, CO and similar locations.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chemist
Well, the sun came out today, so I backed Muirne out of the garage for the first time in nearly three weeks, called my daughter's boyfriend (a mechanic!), and we installed the ClearImage shorty headers and hi-flow cat.
So glad you got the leak problem resolved, Byron.
With those goodies from ClearImage, looks like some of us will have a hard time keeping up with our fearless meet leader in April.
.
__________________
Her name is MariSOL
VIN 6Y101319, delivered 10/15/05. 69,991 miles.
Great Chemist! They are fun. I have the shorty's but with the stock Cat and Magnaflow exhaust. Unfortunately today, the gasket blew between the header and cat.... So I have to wait for Monday to get a new one. Sounds like a truck with straight pipes now....
Glad this worked out. I didn't realize there was a thread about it until now.
Skygazer, send me your info and I'll get an aluminum gasket shipped. or, have you already contacted me? I can't ever tell who anyone is from the forum names.
Thanks! My avatar is my new illuminated WindRestrictor ( www.dynamicautoconcepts.com ). Just got installed yesterday. Started a thread with some pics over in the "Exterior Mods" forum. Look here
__________________ "Muirne" --- Envious, ebony leather, LSD/ABS/AC/Monsoon w/6CD changer, mats, splash guards, black "stubby" antenna, Lil' Chromies, K-sphere pedals, K-sphere CAI, VectorSports ECM, RED center cap decals, the TWEETY door unlock/lock button, Garmin c330 GPS, Flowmaster 40 performance muffler w/GM OEM tip, RED calipers with white decals, High Note horn mod, Brushed aluminum door sills, ClearImage shorty headers/hi-flow cat, etched/lighted WindRestrictor. --- She growls!
NASSOA Founding Member
Am I truly the only one? Having installed one of the first AL gaskets last fall, since I had gone through 3 fiber gaskets already, I was hopeful this would solve the recurring problem. Sorry to say, it has not.
After several months, the AL gasket has moved sideways so much that the thru hole is now visible! Yea, it has moved 1/2 inch. I kept retightening every couple of weeks using a short open-end. Usually a couple of nuts required just a small fraction of a turn. Still the gasket kept moving sideways. The stud through holes are now much bigger!
Got to believe that there is some serious vibration at this joint. Anyway, I can only crank on the short open-end so much, so maybe not enough torque? Dan claims I must be overtightening?
So guys, help me find a solution. I suspect it might have to do with some thermal expansion problems. Thinking of releasing the bolt at the bottom of the converter, and just hanging the assembly off the headers.
Also, planning on using a hose clamp surrounding the joint, in order to keep the replacement gasket centered.
Any other suggestions would be greatly valued. This will be my fifth replacement gasket.
I do love the header though!
__________________
Very Cool and polished in summer tanning season. All but the clunk, Onstar and XM. Sol'2006: Keep that rear deck clean! VIN #(75)^2. Good to go w/ Magnaflow, The Tune, & Shorties!
After the initial shock, I knew I had a reputable professional shop less than a ile from m house, so that all would be well regardless.
