Reusing exhaust gaskets!
 

Hi, I was stalking and learning alot on this forum since I was 17. I always dreamed of an RX-8 because I just luv the concept on 9500rpm with a rotary! <3. Finally after 4 years I got my own RX-8! Just love it even if it's missing some torque. And for gas consumption, compared to a 2007 Audi S4 it's economic lol. Ok, so I bought this car used, the injectors were dirty so I bought a cleaning solution. Did it work? Yes. Now it accelerates smoothly with abit more torque and starts better. But these products are to good to be true. All the gunk clogged my cat within hours... So I got a Agency dual resonator cat-delete pipe. I will install it tomorrow if I have time. My question was: can I reuse the gaskets? By the way, if I'm not posting in the right section please move. Thx in advance!

You "can", but for the cost of the gaskets you might as well replace them.

+1 I was thinking the exact same thing. Well played Wulf!

you can re-use the ring shape metal gasket.

not the other "thin" gasket.

Exhaust manifold to CAT gasket should be replaced..it crushes when tightened and won't re-seal properly if re-used.....


The rear gasket can be reused almost forever ;)

You asked the wrong question... Can you? or Do you WANT TO? the answer? Don't be a cheap ass, gaskets function because when you torque down on them they crush. You should just replace them. That way they get the best possible bite when you clamp down on them.

I re-used mine. Works for me

Curious about one thing. Did you ask this because you wanted to save money, or because you don't have new gaskets and are keen to put the new pipe on anyway? If the latter, I suggest you at least get some muffler cement and coat the old ones. When I replace exhaust components, I always use that stuff on joints. It only takes one near-death monoxide experience to get paranoid about making sure stuff is sealed.

Ken

If there is some valid reason you need to reuse old gaskets, coat them generously on both sides with copper gasket material (eg. Prestone).

Good luck with that :) I tried using the highest temp sealant that is made...and it lasted 2 days before it turned to powder and leaked like a sieve

The front gasket is less than $12....less than the sealant would cost anyway

Muffler cement holds up just fine - it's made for those temps. But we still don't know if the OP was eager to get the thing on or just being cheap. FWIW, I started using muffler cement (along with coke cans and bailing wire) when I could not afford to properly fix an exhaust.

Ken

I used cork from a pin board once with sealant lol. hows that for cheap?

Really cheap if it was someone else's cork board. :)

I once plugged a leak in a gas tank with that putty-like stuff that's sold to stick posters to walls.

Ken

Okay, the company that sold me the cat delete told me that I can reuse the gaskets. I will reuse them because I can't wait till Mazda opens on monday to install my pipe! Thanks!

ok well, sweetdreams, your rest will surely be peaceful!

You will be sorry.......

"hey guys lets be cheap on one of the most dangerous parts of a car!"

Oh man I wonder why I feel sleeping when Im driving, and I always smell something funny. hmm ... zzzZzzz ...

BOOM !

Is it too early to start giving away darwin awards :P

hahaha ok finally I didn't install it, I'm gonna order carbon gaskets or maybe get oem ones from the shop! I will install this when all the snow will melt down this spring...