This was the top story on VAF for the day 30 November 2016.
Just want to add the above is an OPINION that I do not share.
I have used exhaust wrap on my RV-6 for 19-years and over 3,000 without the issues in the letter.
I started using exhaust wrap at the recommendation of an RV-3 owner / A&P / IA that had a 360 under the cowl. He had one of the old Tolle exhaust systems that was a rigid exhaust unlike the "Vetterman" exhaust that most of us use. The Tolle exhaust systems were known to crack and break welds. Once he wrapped the exhaust, his cracks and breaks happened a lot less often.
There are as many opinions on the subject of exhaust wrap just like there are on primer, nose wheels, tailwheels, ignition system, engine manufacturers, spark plugs, paint schemes, etc...
Everything we do in aviation has risks. Exhaust wrap also has risks. IMHO, the risks are worth it to me for the lower under cowl temperatures that I have on my aircraft by using it. YMMV. IF the exhaust wrap use required that i replace the exhaust system every 500 hours it would be worth it to me.
Now others can comment with their opinions. I am sure that there are as many opinions on the subject as there are readers to this forum. Maybe I am the only successful, happy user of exhaust wrap.
Just want to add the above is an OPINION that I do not share.
I have used exhaust wrap on my RV-6 for 19-years and over 3,000 without the issues in the letter.
I started using exhaust wrap at the recommendation of an RV-3 owner / A&P / IA that had a 360 under the cowl. He had one of the old Tolle exhaust systems that was a rigid exhaust unlike the "Vetterman" exhaust that most of us use. The Tolle exhaust systems were known to crack and break welds. Once he wrapped the exhaust, his cracks and breaks happened a lot less often.
There are as many opinions on the subject of exhaust wrap just like there are on primer, nose wheels, tailwheels, ignition system, engine manufacturers, spark plugs, paint schemes, etc...
Everything we do in aviation has risks. Exhaust wrap also has risks. IMHO, the risks are worth it to me for the lower under cowl temperatures that I have on my aircraft by using it. YMMV. IF the exhaust wrap use required that i replace the exhaust system every 500 hours it would be worth it to me.
Now others can comment with their opinions. I am sure that there are as many opinions on the subject as there are readers to this forum. Maybe I am the only successful, happy user of exhaust wrap.