Leaking Exhaust Gasket - Change Or Wait?

[Jords]

I have a slight leak in at the exhaust gasket (cylinder 5) caused by my extractors being slightly warped. I have plans to get it fixed, but wondered if it's something that can wait a month or so or it's something that would be causing damage to the engine or head (valves etc)?

 

Thanks in advance.

[Linton]

an exhaust leak will not do any mechanical damage, how ever there is potential for fumes to enter cabin, engine fire, etc. It depends on how much you drive it as to how long it will last, it will gradually get louder as the gasket falls out. when you take the extractors off get the port face skimmed and make sure you use washers under the nut that contact both inlet and exhaust firmly and even.

[dat2kman]

You may need longer studs, if you find that a washer, a spring washer, a nut, on top of your exhaust flange, is a bit lacking.

I can supply sets of longer correct threaded studs.

You'll require a set of 6" Mini Stilsons ( baby pipe wrench) to remove the old ones, if they are a bit too tight.

[Jords]

You may need longer studs, if you find that a washer, a spring washer, a nut, on top of your exhaust flange, is a bit lacking.

I can supply sets of longer correct threaded studs.

You'll require a set of 6" Mini Stilsons ( baby pipe wrench) to remove the old ones, if they are a bit too tight.

Thanks will definitely keep that in mind.

[nizm0zed]

Dont use a spring washer on exhaust studs!!
As they heat cycle from the exhaust they loose thier spring tension over time and become a weak point allowing the nuts to loose tension, leading to gasket failure.

[Linton]

ah yes washers, I did mean the heavy std ones normally used on the manifolds not flat washers for a nut and bolt sorry bit misleading.

[PB260Z]

Also I always put a bit of anti-seize on both threads on the studs.

Makes things much easier when you next need to remove the manifold.

 

Cheers

 

PB