1999 Honda Accord - Exhaust Flange

UMGRAD76

MEMBER
1999 HONDA ACCORD

Hi everyone,

My 1999 Accord LX 4cyl recently sprung an exhaust leak. Every part of the exhaust is original. The leak occurred at the flange behind the catalytic converter, behind the sensor. I crawled under the car and it doesn't look like any of the three bolts broke, but the two halves did pull away from each other. I sprayed some solution on the area to free rusted parts, but to no avail. The heads of the bolts are pretty well rusted and I was having trouble even getting the wrench on them.

What do you suggest? If I am able to get them off, would I be replacing them with OEM bolts or has the receiving flange rusted too much to use these, requiring a nut and bolt instead? I believe there is a crush gasket there as well that will need replacing. Is that gasket located on the cat side or the oppostie side?

Thanks for your help.

Saturday, November 24th, 2007 AT 7:27 PM

1 Reply

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there,

Rusty nuts, don't you just luv em! If I remember correctly, there are welded studs in the flange. If so you will have to work the nuts ever so carefully. There is on the market a freeze and release penetrating lube it is excellent for this. Also it would be best to use a good quality single hex socket, this will give you the best purchase on the nut. Just work is slowly backwards and forwards until it starts to move. If the nut is damaged it will have to be cut off and the stud drilled out. Not much fun lying on you back under a car doing that. If in doubt head of to the exhaust shop it will take them a few minutes only to replace.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Saturday, November 24th, 2007 AT 8:05 PM