exhaust gasket doughnut thing removal

[jettabrendan]

Does she just pop off? Or does it require some special vw tool like everything else?

[macka]

at the front pipe you just pop it out

[Rabbit TD]

Mine was actualy making me sick from leaking when I finaly changed it.  Mine didn't just pop off but I used a small chisel and different pliers pulling it apart till it was all off.  No big deal, just don't try to get it in one or two hits and break  the manifold and sand it all real good for the new one to seal good all around.  The thing important about these is the exhaust system has to be flexible enough for the engine to be able to move back and forth a little and still be able to seal.

[jettabrendan]

blows more exhaust out the vents than through the muffler. lol

[Rabbit TD]

Yea, I kept having this funny taste in the back of my throat and just kept feeling lousy for a couple hours after driving the thing.  I thought exhaust might have been being sucked in through the rear hatch seals but it was the doghnut gasket.  I had the exhaust system too rigid and it developed a leak around the thing.  It has to be able to move there a little to keep sealing right.

[Vincent Waldon]

A light bead of Permatex Ultra-Copper high-temp sealant on both sides of the new donut will make it seal really well, yet stay flexible and remove easily the next time.