I recently bought a header for my 99 Eclipse and I was looking at my header today and where did the header and the downpipe meet seems to be leaking exhaust fumes and I was wondering what would be the best way to fix this problem.

Another question, is that as soon as I start the car to check for the exhaust leak the header was really hot and I was wondering what is the gain if were to wrap the header with thermal tape.

Exhaust leak between downpipe and collectors: New gasket.

Tip; lube the flange threads up a bit so you can get everything that much tighter without stripping anything. Makes removal easier too.

Gains from wrapping your header: Greatly reduced under-hood temps. Faster exhaust evacuation. Dont think of it in terms of going faster. Think of your car as a neighboorhood. That wrap just makes the header a better neighboor. Go for it.

The header that I have is the header and the downpipe meet, is the one where the downpipe is oval and it fits over the header.

i have the same problem, i just used the termal wrap to cover it up, it works!!

Really, the thermal tape keeps the leak in.

Originally posted by 2GeclipseRS
Dont think of it in terms of going faster. Think of your car as a neighboorhood. That wrap just makes the header a better neighboor. Go for it.

:7 HAHA! that's the best analogy I've ever heard for header wrap!

as far as header wrap holding in a leak? no, it really doesn't, it just makes it less noticable until it burns throught the wrap, also if you're doing the wrap properly you shouldn't be wrapping the flange anyway, just the tubes.