This exhaust gasket seals the connection between the exhaust manifold and the exhaust pipe on the engine. It prevents exhaust gases from escaping at the joint, which maintains proper backpressure and ensures the engine operates at its intended efficiency. The gasket is compressed between the two flanges during installation; a leak at this point produces a ticking sound under load and can allow hot gases to damage nearby wiring or hoses. As an original-manufacturer component, the gasket is formed to the same thickness and hole pattern as the original assembly, so it compresses to the correct stack height without requiring additional shimming. Replace the gasket whenever the exhaust joint is separated.