Exhaust paste or silicone gasket sealant?

[Zenarchy]

Thanks to a helpful member on here (thanks bazd) I've got a motad venom silencer and link pipe on its way to me.

I don't have any exhaust paste for the link pipe, but I've got a tube of decent high temperature silicone sealant/instant gasket stuff (says it's OK for up to 500C).

Does anyone know if this would be a suitable substitute for exhaust paste for creating an airtight seal for the link pipe and slip on can?

If it is, would it have any disadvantages over using the propper exhaust paste stuff?

If it's no good, is there any particular type of exhaust paste that's better than others I should be buying?

I'm a bit reluctant to trail into town and waste money on exhaust paste if this stuff will do the job just as well, but then I don't want it to fail, or find it's no use and not have any exhaust paste handy when I get around to fitting it (as by the point I discover it's no good I'm likely to have the exhaust off the bike).

[StumpyFingers]

I do not think instant gasket is any good for exhausts.
It may be able to with stand certain amount of heat as in temperature of the engine but exhausts get a lot hotter and gale force blasts of air.

[btbloke]

are you talking where the link pipe joins to the exhaust pipe down tubes or where the link pipe goes into the silencer back box?

[Zenarchy]

I do not think instant gasket is any good for exhausts.
It may be able to with stand certain amount of heat as in temperature of the engine but exhausts get a lot hotter and gale force blasts of air.

Thanks

That's what I was wondering. When looking at the pastes online I notice that they seem to withstand temperatures of 1000C plus, whereas the the silicone gasket stuff is only rated 500C.

In my nievety at first I assumed that the engine would probably be hotter than the exhaust and as it's OK for engine casings etc. it'd be fine for the exhaust too.

That's a good enough reason not to use it on its own I think - I'll just get some paste instead. Thanks for the pointer

I've used this silicone gasket stuff on my current original can to seal it blowing a bit towards the end of the can, but it's on the outside where theres airflow and where it's probably nowhere near as hot so that's probably why it's seemed OK.

[Zenarchy]

are you talking where the link pipe joins to the exhaust pipe down tubes or where the link pipe goes into the silencer back box?

Both I think (by back box you mean the actual can itself?).

It's the first time I'll have fitted one so I was assuming I'd need a bit of sealant or paste at both ends of the link pipe (where it connects to the downpipes and the can on the other end).

I was just thinking of using the silicon stuff as I already have it to hand really, but if exhaust paste is better I'll get some of that instead and use it on both (unless where it joins the can doesn't need that or I might be better with silicon sealant on that part).

I'm not really sure at the moment as the can has only just been sent and hasn't arrived yet, and haven't had a chance to read up about how to fit it yet. I'm expecting that the link pipe will need to be modified too, but I just wanted to make sure I had everything I needed before I started and took the other can off.

[btbloke]

The can is normally a resistance fit held in place with springs,the link pipe is a tight fit and then is clamped on and so no leaks.
I don't see any sealant being needed really.

[allyw71]

The can is normally a resistance fit held in place with springs,the link pipe is a tight fit and then is clamped on and so no leaks.
I don't see any sealant being needed really.

I agree, if the can you've bought is specific for your bike it should fit without any leaks, if gaskets are required they would normaly be included in the kit. Wait until the can arrives and try fitting it to see if it leaks before wasting money on paste you'll never use.

[Zenarchy]

Thanks for the advice

Sorry for the late reply. Had a crazy couple of days and not been able to check in on the forum.

The exhaust is a second hand one with an RD07 link pipe, so it mightn't be a perfect fit and need modifying, and there wasn't any sealant with it (if it ever came with any in the first place - not that I'm complaining - it looks great and I got a bargain so really happy with it and wasn't expecting any sealant with it ).

It comes with all the springs and clamps so I'll give it a go without the sealant and see how that goes as it might make it easier to get off if I ever need to remove it in the future for any reason. I ordered some holts fire paste stuff from ebay so if it does blow then that should arrive over the next couple of days with a bit of luck and I can give that a try. Going to try to make time to have a go fitting it tomorrow if I can but I'll resist the temptation to use the silicone and wait for the paste to arrive if it doesn't seal properly.

Thanks again for your replies. It's been a great help

[Austin]

on the TA there is a proper honda gasket seal thing between the header pipes and the silencer. When I fitted my end can this crumbled to powder but I got a good enough seal just by tightening the clamp real tight. I have got a replacement seal/gasket in the garage waiting to be fitted - about £7 from David Silvers. Probably cheaper than buying some branded exhaust sealant.

[Zenarchy]

I think there might be similar gaskets for the Africa Twin too. I spotted a few on ebay that looked like big o-rings. I wasn't sure if they'd fit though as it's not the original honda silencer I'm fitting (this is all new to me). I'd guess they're a better option as they can be reused ofcourse and might not stick the pipes together so much when it comes to removing them in the future.

The sealant was pretty cheap from ebay though - about £3.50 including delivery for a small tube that I'm guessing should be enough if I need it. Just got to have a go at fitting it now (going to have a go later thisafternoon I think).