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Buell Motorcycle Forum » XBoard » Buell XBoard Archives » Archive through December 03, 2007 » Exhaust header leak check « Previous Next »

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Sgthigg
Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 10:20 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

I have recently brought my American model xb12 to Japan and got it certified to ride here.

It was in storage fore about 3 months until it was restarted. It started on the first bump of the ignition. However now I have noticed the fan runs alot more ofter now then back in the states and it pops alot more on deceleration.

How do you check for a leak at the exhaust valve port/header gasket?

Thanks
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Etennuly
Posted on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 10:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Remove the chin faring and look at the joint where the header joins the muffler. You are looking for any black soot like powder on the joint. That would be an indication of a leak. You might also start the bike with the chin spoiler off in a dark place and look for flame leakage.

At this time tighten the header clamp and it would be a good idea to check the tightness of the band clamps too. Usually when I'm down there I check the side stand bolts too.

Hope that helps.
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Sgthigg
Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 02:07 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Thanks,

I checked this already first. I was wondering if there was a way or something to look for if you have a leak up on the exhaust port coming out of the head.

Anyone?
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Azxb9r
Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 03:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Smoke test. I dont know how common they will be in Japan, but many auto repair shops have smoke machines for testing for vacuum leaks and checking evap systems. They also work quite well for finding exhaust leaks.
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Jhanz
Posted on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 10:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Sgthigg, I had an exhaust gasket leak (where the headers meet the head), which had been fixed by the dealer after much complaining by me that there was an annoying Chirping sound coming from that area. When they finally checked it out, it turned out that the front header gasket was mangled. When they replaced it, chirp was gone. This problem was also causing other issues, such as the fan running more, and some fueling issues.
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Sgthigg
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 05:58 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Humm a smoke test? How does that work never heard of one. Is there something I can look for myself? Im thinking There has to be with as many people saying they have had this problem. How did they know they had an exhaust leak where the headers met the exhaust?
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Zac4mac
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 09:05 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Like Etennuly said, look for soot. If you've got an exhaust leak, there'll be soot. Either at the head or any connections.

You can also use a 2 foot or so length of tubing; stick one end near your ear and wave the other end around your exhaust while it's running. Test it by blowing lightly on the free end and listen so you'll know what to listen for.

Smoke test sounds cool, just blow smoke up it's tailpipe and look for leaks? simple and quick, I like.

Z
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Azxb9r
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 04:22 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

The smoke machine I have at work has a cone shaped adapter large enough to seal in the tail pipe. Pump the system full of smoke and look for it to leak out. I have heard of guys using the smoke mechanism from a model train to make a low cost smoker. If you know any local mechanics, they may be able to point you to someone that has one.
The "listening through a tube" technique also works quite well, and its cheap.
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Blake
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 06:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Spray white powder type anti-perspirant all around the suspect area. Any significant exhaust leakage should soon reveal itself.

Might want to check the torque on the header to cylinder head bolts. They can loosen.
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Lucas70374
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 06:49 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

agree with blake
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Murraebueller
Posted on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 07:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

Start it up and hold a rag over the outlet-if it has a leak you will hear it. It will sound like a loud "tick".
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Punkid8888
Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 07:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

my friend built a leak tester for his turbocharged car and it work very well.

He built an adapter with pvc pipe and cap then mounted it to the inlet of his turbo. he had threaded a air hose fitting on the pvc cap. we turned the air compressor down to about 10psi and it would pressurize the hole intake system, (turbo, intercooler, intake manifold, and intake hoses) it would leak slightly past the valves but his boost gage read 10psi. we listened around and found his fuel injectors to be leaking badly. replaced the O-rings and re tested and we were able to get to 22psi before his blow off valve started leaking slightly.

I was surprised how well it worked. And I imagine a similar set up could be constructed to fit the exhaust outlet on our XBs.
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Sgthigg
Posted on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 09:21 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only)

thanks guys

I think im going to gieve the antipersperant deodorant tip a try. After I do a quick check on the bolts. Theyre kind of rusty so i hope they dont get messed up.

Thank again
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