how do i know if i have an exhaust leak

[scott2007nomad]

I installed a set of Vance and Hines baggers today.
I bought a set of the HD crush gaskets.
Silver Eagle, part number 17048-98

I read many posts about lighting a cigarette and putting it around the joints, but I don't know what the smoke should do.

Also, the front header pipe is making a pfft, pfft, pfft, . . . sound but I don't know if that's normal or not.

When I first tested it, the smoke (I used incense) was being sucked into the front header pipe at the joint.

I added lock washers on top of the flat washers I was already using.
It seemed to help as far as the smoke but I still hear the pfft, pfft, pfft, . . .

So how do I know for sure if it's still leaking?

Thanks for any advice.

Scott M. Kelm

[dabull]

scott sounds like you are leaking....i just went thru this with my Cobra True Duals install...

Smoke should just rise in natural state....not dissipate by air blowing it around...

the pffft pffft sound is key...did you torque to spec? 14lbs seems to be the consensus...

I too used the HD gaskets (again, Cobra pipes) and could NOT get the pipes to seal,,,i cant tell you how many times I untightend and retightend the pipes....went to the Kaw dealer and got the Kaw gaskets....problem solved.....

.02 cents

good luck!

[ringadingh]

If the bike backfires on deceleration its another sure sign of an exhaust leak.
Sometimes it takes a couple attempts to get it right.
Im currently using the HD gaskets with good results, so they do work. Recheck your work to make sure the pipes hang naturally, and are not being twisted or forced. That will cause them to not align properly where they meet the cylinders.

[Cajunrider]

No problem with the HD gaskets on mine either.

[dogdoc]

Thats the sure sound of a leak. if the incense sucks in or out it confirms it. I just used my old kawa gaskets when I did my V&H 4.5 yrs ago and it woeked great first time. keep trying but dont OVER tighten them!

[macmac]

Get 2 sets of new gaskets, and keep one set on hand if you don't end up using them.

Were the old gaskets removed? They tend to stick and look to be a part of the heads. 2 sets installed new on old won't do at all.

At idle the smoke you saw being drawn in is telling you air is being sucked in that is a leak. At rpm flames will replace the air being sucked in and blow out, and cut the metal there in time, which is called gas checking, very bad thing to allow to happen.

[scott2007nomad]

I did pull the old gaskets, they weren't much more than a thin ring of metal.
Since the HD gaskets were not the same size as the hole, I'm sure they moved out of wack when putting the front pipe on.
Next chance I get, I'll loosen it all up, and try to keep the gasket in place while tightening the header clamp.

[scott2007nomad]

I thought I would follow up with what worked for me in case someone else has the same problem.
When installing the mufflers the first time, I "snugged" up the acorn nuts, with washers.
While jiggling the left side muffler I heard a POP. Seemed the header piped snapped into place. I didn't have any leaks from that pipe.

I thought I had the front header pipe in place on the first attempt, but it leaked.
It even leaked with flat and lock washers.

So yesterday I loosened up the right muffler, clamps and front header pipe.
Checked the gasket to make sure it was not damaged and in the right place and "snugged" up the acorn nuts with flat and lock washers.
So while I was jerking around on the muffler and pipe to make sure it was in the right place I heard a POP. I really thought I had it in the hole already but now the acorn nuts were much looser.
So I tightened everything up and now NO LEAKS! Yea!

I can't explain the POP but if it happens to you, don't worry.

[ringadingh]

Good to hear you got it fixed, I suspected it was a header pipe flange that wasn't sitting square in the port. Sometimes its hard to see that they are in correctly at first. I once had a similar problem and noticed after a couple attempts that I had an old gasket crushed in the port that was very difficult to see the first time. It was me prying around with a pick that finally caused it to come out..

[scott2007nomad]

My old "crush" gaskets were no thicker than a business card.
I don't know how they even qualified as gaskets.
I can see where they would be hard to find.

[eds]

hi guys why are scotts header pipes on the left when all other nomads are on the right?.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by eds

hi guys why are scotts header pipes on the left when all other nomads are on the right?.

That's a good point...I hadn't noticed that. No wonder his exhaust leaks!

[Cajunrider]

He must be left handed.

[scott2007nomad]

Wow, how did you know?
I am left handed and in my right mind. :)

[Loafer]

Originally Posted by scott2007nomad KawaNOW #00481

Wow, how did you know?
I am left handed and in my right mind. :)

Your a miror image of yourself.
Was your Nomad made in China?