Leaking John Deere 6068 Turbocharger Exhaust Clamp

[stiggy]

Just had our turbocharger rebuilt. After our first run post maintenance I noticed some soot on the turbocharger from the exhaust end. I wiped down and it reappeared after another short run. I removed the v clamp and reseated. I'm having trouble finding a torque for this clamp? I don't want to wrench down on it. It seems odd to me that there is no gasket material between these two but i guess with the high temps this is the best way to seal.

Any advice?

 

[O C Diver]

Did you disconnect the riser from the supporting brace and the exhaust hose? If not, I would do that and then attach the brace and then the hose.

While you have it apart, take a piece of glass and hold it against the turbo and the riser. You're checking for flat surfaces on both. The riser may have warped. You may have had enough soot to seal the connection, till you disassembled it.

Ted

 

[stiggy]

Did you disconnect the riser from the supporting brace and the exhaust hose? If not, I would do that and then attach the brace and then the hose.

While you have it apart, take a piece of glass and hold it against the turbo and the riser. You're checking for flat surfaces on both. The riser may have warped. You may have had enough soot to seal the connection, till you disassembled it.

Ted

Good advice on that. I will disconnect the riser and check. So they both should sit exactly flat against each other and then the clamp just holds them in place. Any idea on the torque for the clamp bolt?

 

[Comodave]

Is that a T bolt clamp? Kinda looks like it is. If it is a T bolt clamp you can tighten it pretty tight. I don’t know what torque would be exactly but I can crank them tight. Like Ted said are the mating surfaces clean?

 

[MV Moira]

I'm not familiar with this specific model, but when I've dealt with similar clamps there was always a kind of gasket between the mating parts. If my memory is correct, it's possible that the gasket was left out or malformed. IIRC the gaskets were single-use.

 

[stiggy]

Is that a T bolt clamp? Kinda looks like it is. If it is a T bolt clamp you can tighten it pretty tight. I don’t know what torque would be exactly but I can crank them tight. Like Ted said are the mating surfaces clean?

No it's a V-Clamp, there's a channel where the two mating surface lips reside.

 

[O C Diver]

No it's a V-Clamp, there's a channel where the two mating surface lips reside.

I had a John Deere 4045 and remember it not having any gasket.

As far as the torque spec, I would do a Google search for a stainless steel bolt of that size.

Ted

 

[Ivan on TubTub]

We use a lot of these V type clamps on ductwork on aircraft. If you find a fitting leaking after a operational test and re-tightening the clamp does not resolve the issue then highly suggest replacing the clamp as heat can cause it to relax its tensions while under pressure and it can slowly but surely lose the ability to properly seal the connection. As for the proper torque, if you measure the diameter of the threaded T shaft and cross reference that in a torque chart, it will give you a standard torque for that size bolt and nut. Keep in mind that that torque value should be set cold and set immediately after shut down as the metals will expand while heated.

 

[stiggy]

We use a lot of these V type clamps on ductwork on aircraft. If you find a fitting leaking after a operational test and re-tightening the clamp does not resolve the issue then highly suggest replacing the clamp as heat can cause it to relax its tensions while under pressure and it can slowly but surely lose the ability to properly seal the connection. As for the proper torque, if you measure the diameter of the threaded T shaft and cross reference that in a torque chart, it will give you a standard torque for that size bolt and nut. Keep in mind that that torque value should be set cold and set immediately after shut down as the metals will expand while heated.

That's great information. I appreciate you. Perhaps I'll purchase a new clamp as i have no idea the age of the currently installed one.

 

[nussbda]

I've seen mechanics use muffler paste on the mating surfaces before tightening the v clamp. It's available at an auto parts store.

Dave

 

[stiggy]

muffler paste

Amazon.com

This stuff?

 

[nussbda]

That's too thick. It may be called exhaust seal. It comes in a squeeze tube. I'll get you an Amazon link and a link to my YouTube mechanic tonight. I just changed my exhaust elbow (same joint) and no leaks.

 

[nussbda]

This is the muffler seal. It's thinner than the putty. The two faces (turbo and exhaust elbow) should be cleaned, then lightly coated with muffler seal (see starting at 3 minutes 56 seconds of the Volvo video - different engine, but Volvo also mates the turbo without a gasket). YouTube video

Hope this helps.

Dave