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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | Has anyone a suggestion as to how to stop and exhaust leak between the rectangular cross section crossover pipe and the left side exhaust pipe? The rectangular crossover is swaged down to a cylindrical tube so it can fit into the exhaust pipe and a heavy exhaust clamp is supposed to seal it. I had the bike dynoed by Lloyd and told him about the popping, which was reduced significantly when I installed an intake air valve, but not eliminated. Lloyd looked at the exhaust and told me there were two large leaks in the crossover joint. Lat week I took the bike to me dealer to have it repaired. The wrench took the joint completely apart, cleaned all the pipe involved in the joint, and put it back together. He started the motor, and could still feel the exhaust gas puffing out of the joint. He disassembled it again, and tried repositioning the clamp several times, but each time, both he and I could feel the exhaust puffing out of the joint and it wasn't slight; it was really easy to feel, as in no small leak. After trying repositioning the muffler and the clamp a number of times, he finally snapped the clamp while tightening it down, and, not having one in stock, I'm waiting for a new one to arrive.
We discussed using some kind of silicone sealent on the joint, but the wrench said that's not usually a good idea, since it may work for a while, but the sealent will degrade because of the heat and it could end up being worse. He though that putting a piece of exhaust wrap around the joint under the clamp might help and we're going to try that when the new clamp arrives, but I thought I'd see if anyone here has any experience in this kind of thing and might be able to offer a suggestion. From what i've been able to gather, it's not uncommon. Both the mechanic and I believe it may be due to the change in shape from the rectangular crossover to the cylinderical cross section at the joint, the cylinderical part not being perfectly round, at least not enough to form a good seal. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 623
| i used a beed of exhaust patch...kinda a caulk. ran a thin beed with my fingers around all 3 fittings, let dry for a day, then did it again, no more black leaks now for last 8000 miles |
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Tourer
Posts: 354
20 miles west of Chicago. | Not familiar with it; any brand name, where available?
Edited by Mudge 2010-09-02 4:36 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | I asked my service department to fix it, I don't think they even tried. So I used a sealer on mine once I couldn't get it to seal by tightening. After 10,000 miles,it is still there and no leak. The name is VersaChem, comes in a 5 oz. tube and it is specific for exhaust pipe joints. There are several different brands I'm sure and you can get them at the auto part stores. The key is to clean the joint well, I used a Dremel with a little wire wheel to buff off the joint. This material has a curing catalyst in it, so let it sit for what is says to cure, mine says 2-4 hrs., but you can also use a heat gun on it to speed it up. Low cost fix, hope it works for you. |
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Exhaust Leak.
