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Cracked Vetterman Exhaust

- Poindexter -

- Poindexter -

Well Known Member
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I have a circular crack & separation, around the muffler on my Vetterman cross-over Exhaust. O-360. RV7a. 10-years old with 800 hours (600 hours in the last 3 years).
Have left phone messages, texts, and email to Vetterman with no response at all.
I would like to get this fixed or replaced asap, as I use the plane for business. Wondering if I should try and get it welded at a local shop, get the section replaced or move to a completely different exhaust system?
Exhaust Crack.jpg
 
I don't know your muffler system to know what it looks like under the shroud but I think the actual exhaust pipe goes straight through so you could still safely fly by taking the discharge SCAT hose off so no fumes get into the cabin. I had no problems getting in touch with Clint by phone when ordering my exhaust not long ago. Maybe OSH is the issue at the moment. Any welding shop should be able to TIG weld a patch over the cracked area if you can't get in touch with Clint.
 
Mine cracked and I just welded it up. Bring it to an exhaust shop it's no big deal.

I wouldn't fly it.
 
Don’t fly with cracks in your exhaust. Recipe for disaster/fire.

A good muffler shop that does custom exhaust will be able to fix that in no time flat.
 
Thanks for the quick responses. I'll pull it and take it to a muffler shop if I don't hear from Clint early next week.

Yes, I know about not flying it, in it's current state. It blew when I was climbing out, IFR, in the clouds, and then the carbon monoxide detector was screaming and beeping red.
We'll save that story for another post.
 
I noticed the mounts to the engine frame. Short length of hose may make the mounting too stiff and not allow the freedom necessary with engine movement. Any time the engine cowl is off make sure Mouse Milk is used on the ball joints to keep them free.

My instructions only show mounts to each other and the engine sump, which allows the exhaust to move unrestrictive with the engine. However, Clint does say you can mount to rigid structure if you keep the ball joints lubricated
 
He is at oshkosh. Told me on the phone (early July) he wouldn’t start my exhaust until after oshkosh.
 
Follow up:

Clint sent me an email today that he would build a new section for a replacement, which I fully support. He's at Oshkosh, so is busy this week. Awesome that he followed up.
However, yesterday (before the Clint email), I had my annual and we had a muffler shop weld those pieces together. Turned out well, but not sure about the long-term durability, so looking forward to replacing it with the new Vetterman one.

Tim, attached is the installation instructions from Clint, 10 years ago. I did not build the plane, but found this in my files that the original builder installed. Agree with your comments.
It is also important to note (the rest of the story), that I do fly aerobatics and land on grass strips, plus put 200 hrs on the plane every year. So, not shocked that this happened.
Vetterman instructions.jpg
 
- Poindexter - said:
Follow up:

Clint sent me an email today that he would build a new section for a replacement, which I fully support. He's at Oshkosh, so is busy this week. Awesome that he followed up.
However, yesterday (before the Clint email), I had my annual and we had a muffler shop weld those pieces together. Turned out well, but not sure about the long-term durability, so looking forward to replacing it with the new Vetterman one.

Tim, attached is the installation instructions from Clint, 10 years ago. I did not build the plane, but found this in my files that the original builder installed. Agree with your comments.
It is also important to note (the rest of the story), that I do fly aerobatics and land on grass strips, plus put 200 hrs on the plane every year. So, not shocked that this happened.
View attachment 67029
Click to expand...
Mine cracked 3/4 the way around on #1 next to the flange when I bolted it up the new engine. Took it back off and fired up the TIG welder and went at it. 20 minutes later was bolting it back on. It had 650 hour on the original engine and now 80 since
Works fine.
My luck varies FIXIT
 
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