Topic: Exhaust Gasket Seals!

[LoopsAndLogic]

I was wondering how would I tell if I had an exhaust leak at the headers??

While driving, I can't tell at all! You know, that tapping noise.

 I have a Mac canister and it has a small hole through it of which I can't find, that's within the baffle system and my helmet (Nolan) is pretty much sound proof even with the visor open.

 Could I possibly tell with the bike fully warmed up at idle??

Would air pressure be evident?? Or would the hotness coming off the header mislead me??

 Someone told me about checking your header gaskets and to replace them if you've taken the headers off twice. Of which it has been done.

Thanks
LL

[Sweep]

Usually and I stress usually since my background isn't necessarily Honda fours, you'd see smoke on a badly connected exhaust.  If you have the tap I'd check that the exhaust is tight #1, the valves #2, and the timing #3.

[medic09]

Do you mean where the header connects to the motor, or the muffler?

I recently had a leak in my #4 header.  It had rotted out right where it enters the engine.  The sound was unmistakeable, and loud.  It was obvious where it was coming from.  Then all I had to do was look.  I expected to find that the exhaust gasket was gone, or maybe even just that the collar bolts had come loose.  In my case, it turned out that the header was done.

If your leak is at the far end of the header (at the muffler), noise may be a clue, but you'll want to look for visible exhaust in a moderately lit environment (well-ventilated garage, not bright sunlight).  My wife spotted a leak that way.

[CrisPDuk]

The way I've always looked for leaks on my cars (not had the problem with a bike yet), is to start the engine from cold, with the idle rpms turned up to about 2K, then run my hand down the pipe starting from the header and working back.
With a high idle the pressure pulses through any leaks are quite pronounced, and easily felt by the palm of your hand, and if you're quick you can do it before the pipe gets warm
If the leaks been there for even a short while there will be sooty deposits around it too.

[TwoTired]

Get some aquarium tubing, about 2-3 ft.  Rest one end in your ear canal.  The other end you use like a probe.  Start the bike and move the "probe" around the exhaust collars.  Adding some back pressure to the exhaust end should make any exhaust flange leak more pronounced.  But, it's usually not necessary with the stock exhaust.  A friends palm over the end comes in, well, handy.

Although you can sometimes get away with reusing the exhaust crush washers, they were designed for one time use.


Cheers,